scaring

verb

present participle of scare
as in frightening
to strike with fear thunderstorms have always scared her

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 scaring His campaign strategy in the days before the election seemed to rely on scaring the Israeli public into voting for him. — Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2026 The white whale of American politics seemed in reach until the president spent two years scaring it away. — Gabe Fleisher, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2026 Together the duo enjoy scaring themselves into a teeth-chattering but delightful evening. — Liz Rosenberg, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2026 Universal announced that Nikki, the character Navarrette plays in Obsession was going to roam all of Horror Nights, scaring people and taking photos like Art the Clown, Dracula, and the Weeknd in years past. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026 Such actions are scaring people away from coming to court, whether as witnesses, defendants or observers, Bonta said, and amount to a blatant abuse of power. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026 The Longhorns aren't scaring anyone on offense and Sarkisian has come under fire for his play calling. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026 In addition to scaring the bejesus out of Hamlet and demanding blood, the ghost informs the audience exactly how the murder occurred. — Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026 Halloween Horror Nights are still scaring visitors to Universal Studios Hollywood, but the park is already making holiday plans. — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scaring
  1. frightening
  2. terrifying
  3. spooking
  4. startling
Verb
  • For Cox and Walker, the challenge was to introduce horror-film conventions without frightening the franchise’s youngest viewers.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Powell tried to open the stall door, and then began fondling himself, frightening the 11-year-old, who tried to leave, but Powell blocked him from getting out.
    — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 6 June 2026
Definition of frightening
Verb
  • The simple act of a child pedaling down empty hotel hallways on a Big Wheel builds anticipation, terrifying us with what may be around each corner.
    — Radhika Seth, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Now a ruthless Emperor, Paul must face the consequences of his reign as old allies return, terrifying new threats emerge, and betrayal lurks in every shadow.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of terrifying
Verb
  • Marian and Larry get to dancing, and Larry offers to share his cab home with Marian in the midst of a tropical storm — based on a real one in 1885 — that has hit New York, spooking the horses pulling their carriage into breaking one of the wheels.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 1 Nov. 2026
  • What followed were several nerve-racking minutes of trying to get into position for a shot without spooking the deer.
    — Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of spooking
Verb
  • One of my co-workers tends to blast through this door at top speed, often startling a person reaching for the handle on the other side.
    — Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026
  • As if triggered by this thought, the door buzzed itself open, startling the pigeons from wire to wing, a grand scattering.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of startling

Browse Nearby Words

scariness
scaring
scaring up
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scaring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scaring. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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