as in frightening
to strike with fear
thunderstorms have always scared her
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Recent Examples of scaring
How to tell her about this terrible event without scaring her?
—
Jessica Tzikas, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
California’s declines can be more properties for sale, nudging sellers to compete on price, and a wobbly economy scaring off some potential buyers.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 20 Jan. 2026
But that argument risks perpetuating a bloody dictatorship and scaring off foreign investors.
—Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2026
After scaring off the animal, one of the hikers, a physician, attempted to revive Kovatch, but did not find a pulse.
—Outside, 6 Jan. 2026
Talk openly about world events—without scaring them Even young children absorb bits of information about conflict, violence, and disaster—whether through classmates, TV in a waiting room, or overheard adult conversations.
—Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 31 Dec. 2025
When the pin is pulled, the alarm will release a siren in tandem with a strobing LED light, drawing attention to the dangerous situation and scaring away would-be threats.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 2025
Some said it is meant to coerce asylum-seekers into withdrawing their claims, by scaring them with the prospect of being deported to a country that is not their own.
—Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025
Around the same time, the enormous costumed monsters of the Tschäggättä in Valais in Switzerland roam villages, scaring children and probably a few adults.
—Veronique Greenwood, Time, 21 Dec. 2025
Jessica Tzikas, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
California’s declines can be more properties for sale, nudging sellers to compete on price, and a wobbly economy scaring off some potential buyers.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 20 Jan. 2026
But that argument risks perpetuating a bloody dictatorship and scaring off foreign investors.
—Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2026
After scaring off the animal, one of the hikers, a physician, attempted to revive Kovatch, but did not find a pulse.
—Outside, 6 Jan. 2026
Talk openly about world events—without scaring them Even young children absorb bits of information about conflict, violence, and disaster—whether through classmates, TV in a waiting room, or overheard adult conversations.
—Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 31 Dec. 2025
When the pin is pulled, the alarm will release a siren in tandem with a strobing LED light, drawing attention to the dangerous situation and scaring away would-be threats.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 2025
Some said it is meant to coerce asylum-seekers into withdrawing their claims, by scaring them with the prospect of being deported to a country that is not their own.
—Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025
Around the same time, the enormous costumed monsters of the Tschäggättä in Valais in Switzerland roam villages, scaring children and probably a few adults.
—Veronique Greenwood, Time, 21 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scaring
Verb
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But monks there complained that the slain king was walking around at night, frightening them with strange sounds.—
Rivka Galchen,
New Yorker,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Kids will love sending this Dilophosaurus sauntering across the floor, frightening everything and everyone in his path.—
Pamela Brill,
Parents,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That’s terrifying on a whole different level.—
Will Harris,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Jan. 2026
-
At another level, there does seem to be something absurd and even terrifying about the idea that someone who is not elected can become the leader of a country and then will be recognized as the leader of that country and receive the immunities afforded to heads of state.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Penn’s presence became a form of soft validation for a project that was already spooking investors, undermining private industry through expropriations, and hollowing out checks and balances.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
5 Jan. 2026
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This may signal that condo laws are no longer spooking would-be buyers.—
Catherine Odom,
Miami Herald,
29 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Hauge called that startling, given that court filing fees alone cost just as much.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
4 Jan. 2026
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Saturday, startling his sister.—
Andrew Ramos,
CBS News,
7 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scaring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scaring. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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