as in afraid
filled with fear or dread
at the sight of the grizzly bear he froze, being too scared to even run away
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in frightened
to strike with fear
thunderstorms have always scared her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scared
Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 10 July 2025
As a result, victims feel violated, scared, and uncertain about whom to trust.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 July 2025
All scared, terrified, cold, having probably the worst day of their life.
—Michael Nied, People.com, 7 July 2025
Almost overnight, parents everywhere became scared of the word, and scared of what a doctor’s needle might mean for their child.
—Caren Zucker, The Atlantic, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for scared
Adjective
Birds and other wildlife simply weren’t scared when Spot approached them.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 10 July 2025
As a result, victims feel violated, scared, and uncertain about whom to trust.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 July 2025
All scared, terrified, cold, having probably the worst day of their life.
—Michael Nied, People.com, 7 July 2025
Almost overnight, parents everywhere became scared of the word, and scared of what a doctor’s needle might mean for their child.
—Caren Zucker, The Atlantic, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for scared
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scared
Adjective
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If getting this set up on your own sounds daunting, don’t be afraid to ask for help, McCoy says.—
Ryan Ermey,
CNBC,
23 July 2025
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Although Indiana has not experienced an immigration raid at this scale, community leaders shared that many in migrant communities are afraid that they may potentially be picked up off the street and deported, whether rightfully or not.—
Noe Padilla,
IndyStar,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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Not surprisingly, the woman being targeted by the scams was extremely frightened.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
30 July 2025
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More than 25,000 onlookers came to see the whale over the next few days, but when a thunderstorm erupted on July 5, the whale became frightened.—
Kaycee Sloan,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
Verb
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The movie sees the revival of arch-villain Feathers McGraw, who terrified kids in 1993’s The Wrong Trousers.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
23 Dec. 2024
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My Hugo would chase it and bark at it, or he'd be terrified.—
Benedict Cosgrove,
Newsweek,
20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Adam Sandler, who also starred in and produced the film, is seen first looking shocked at the scene unfolding before him, before laughing along with the rest of the crew.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
31 July 2025
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This week, Barkley had a chance to discuss one of his young teammates, Cooper DeJean, who was shocked to crack the NFL's Top 100 list after just one year in the league.—
Justin Grasso,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 July 2025
Adjective
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Raids on California farms in June already left crops unharvested and farm operators fearful of more crackdowns to come.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
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After raids on California farms in June, some crops have been left unharvested, with farm operators fearful of more crackdowns to come.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
Adjective
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In May 2020, Sacramento, California, resident Alfonso Nguyen was alarmed to find two Sacramento County Sheriff’s deputies at his door, accusing him of illegally growing cannabis and demanding entry into his home.—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
22 July 2025
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Both are alarmed that their younger counterparts have begun receiving similar threatening notes one year after their own roadside tragedy, and yet another person or persons rocking a rain slicker and one long, nasty hook are doling out some karmic payback.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
16 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scared.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scared. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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