as in frightens
to strike with fear
thunderstorms have always scared her
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Recent Examples of scares
Persistent, sticky inflation is what scares us.
—
Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
But for both actors, their horror movies are more about love than scares.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Slurp scares, and is scared, at the Haunted Hacienda in Pilgrim World.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
More 'scares' inevitable The strategist also raised his 2025 S & P 500 year-end forecast to 6,250 from 5,600, which had been the lowest current-year target on the Street.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025
For many gardeners in the northern tier, this month brings the first frost scares, if not the first actual killing frosts.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2025
Yes, armadillos can carry several dangerous diseases including parasitic worms, and in some cases rabies, but the one that scares most people is leprosy.
—Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 22 Aug. 2025
Austin Butler suffered a string of terrifying health scares that left him hospitalized and scared for his life.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
But for both actors, their horror movies are more about love than scares.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Slurp scares, and is scared, at the Haunted Hacienda in Pilgrim World.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
More 'scares' inevitable The strategist also raised his 2025 S & P 500 year-end forecast to 6,250 from 5,600, which had been the lowest current-year target on the Street.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025
For many gardeners in the northern tier, this month brings the first frost scares, if not the first actual killing frosts.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2025
Yes, armadillos can carry several dangerous diseases including parasitic worms, and in some cases rabies, but the one that scares most people is leprosy.
—Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 22 Aug. 2025
Austin Butler suffered a string of terrifying health scares that left him hospitalized and scared for his life.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scares
Verb
-
Many of us are conditioned to think that our ultimate goal in life is to be with someone, so much so, that the mere thought of being alone frightens us.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The first time terrifies every founder.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The moped-like sound of the Shaheds whooshing above the rooftops still unsettles but no longer terrifies.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
18 May 2025
Verb
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As the dolphin gets closer to the glass, the Chihuahua lets out a bark that startles the dolphin, who then starts mimicking the dog's mouth movements in a sort of chasing game across species.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scares.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scares. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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