as in afraid
filled with fear or dread
at the sight of the grizzly bear he froze, being too scared to even run away
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in frightened
to strike with fear
thunderstorms have always scared her
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scared
Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
Keep in mind that behind all that jealousy is usually someone who’s just scared of losing you.
—Anna Pulley, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025
Players known for sometimes scurrilous behavior were scared off by that lifetime ban.
—John Nogowski, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2025
The alert sound when dispensing is super jarring, and my pets were scared of it—there was no way to silence it.
—Molly Higgins, Wired News, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for scared
Adjective
No stranger to portraying morally complex men, including Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar and controversial Argentine revolutionary Che Guevara, Del Toro wasn’t scared of playing an unscrupulous businessman who’d built his fortune on exploitation.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
Keep in mind that behind all that jealousy is usually someone who’s just scared of losing you.
—Anna Pulley, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025
Players known for sometimes scurrilous behavior were scared off by that lifetime ban.
—John Nogowski, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2025
The alert sound when dispensing is super jarring, and my pets were scared of it—there was no way to silence it.
—Molly Higgins, Wired News, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for scared
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scared
Adjective
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Namely, attendees can expect a number of high-energy sets from various DJs — who hopefully aren’t afraid of heights — throughout the temporary venue’s run, starting with a sneak peek performance by Carlita on May 16.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
12 May 2025
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And remember: Don't ever be afraid to give it a good shake.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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These failures in public safety have led to stories from frightened educators, anxious students, and unsafe conditions for our city’s public school communities.—
Savanah Jackson,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2025
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Were there any moments on set where people were seriously quite frightened?—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Apr. 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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Merz, visibly shocked, rose to confer with colleagues.—
Kirsti Knolle,
USA Today,
7 May 2025
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The co-worker’s laughter turned into a shocked expression after seeing the winning ticket.—
Mike Stunson,
Kansas City Star,
6 May 2025
Adjective
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Burnsville officers went to Warren’s home around 9:30 a.m. after her sister called 911, explaining that Warren had called her during a fearful moment, deputies said.—
Mike Stunson,
Kansas City Star,
13 May 2025
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Without psychological safety, however, discomfort, conflict and ruthless competition can lead to a fearful workforce.—
Sanjeev Menon,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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But even legal scholars with an expansive view of executive authority have grown alarmed.—
Eric Cortellessa,
Time,
25 Apr. 2025
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Garcia, like many of us, is alarmed that these deportations aren’t just to a foreign country, but into a prison where a government official once said the only way out was in a coffin.—
Anita Chabria,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scared.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scared. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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