scared 1 of 2

adjective

ˈskerd How to pronounce scared (audio)
Definition of scarednext
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

scared

2 of 2

verb

past tense of scare
as in frightened
to strike with fear thunderstorms have always scared her

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of scared
Adjective
Hard Rock Stadium is still going to feel hot and muggy to the Patriots, who could be feeling less-than-scared about the Dolphins. — Keven Lerner, Sun Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026 Being scared and the world or the supernatural or paranormal have always been of interest to me. — The Learning Network, New York Times, 29 Oct. 2026
Verb
Then, after his shoulder injury scared off Miami, New Orleans landed a quarterback entering his prime. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026 Elmore says the bear eventually climbed down the side of the truck, and employees scared it away from the area. — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scared
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scared
  1. afraid
  2. frightened
  3. terrified
  4. startled
  5. horrified
  6. shocked
  7. fearful
Adjective
  • Trump notched some significant wins, like the end of the old asylum system and a suite of progressive tax cuts, which Democrats are afraid to run against.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • On November 1, King Charles was left umbrella-less in a torrential downpour in Antigua and Barbuda—and wasn’t afraid to show his frustration.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of afraid
Verb
  • Parents were taught to respond supportively while stepping back from rescuing their child from what frightened them.
    — Deldhy Nicolás Moya Sánchez, The Conversation, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Hamabe said Nagatani had barely left toddlerhood during the first shoot and was easily frightened by the many adults on set.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of frightened
Adjective
  • Follicularly stuck in the 2000s, the vast majority of us are terrified short hair will age us.
    — Molly Mulshine, InStyle, 30 Oct. 2026
  • His novels are absolute master classes in how much to reveal, how much to leave to the reader’s terrified imagination.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of terrified
Verb
  • Surveillance footage & evidence Police reviewed surveillance footage in the area, which showed the two gunshot victims walking, then appear startled, according to court records.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
  • However, startled by the activation of the security system, the suspect fled the scene without stealing any loot.
    — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of startled
Adjective
  • Photos from the scene show several UTSA members surrounding the airman on the field after the fatal fall, as medics tended to him in front of horrified spectators.
    — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Gomez, 67, recalled, watching as responding officers pulled a horrified boy from the car.
    — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of horrified
Adjective
  • Flames flickered around chunks of pavement lining the crater as shocked residents looked on in horror.
    — David Fischer, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Many attendees in the chambers appeared shocked and confused at the proposal for the new ordinance.
    — Lauren Fichten, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of shocked
Adjective
  • The previous June, during a COVID wave in Moscow, his wife, Anna Matveeva, a photographer and a film editor, had caught the virus, and Zvyagintsev, who had a long-standing lung condition and was fearful of falling ill, went to stay in his office.
    — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
  • For that reason, Corron cast his ballot for Ciscomani, fearful of what might happen if Democrats take control of Congress.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of fearful

Browse Nearby Words

scare
scared
scared up
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Cite this Entry

“Scared.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scared. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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