1
as in terrifying
causing fear
a scary movie that gave the child nightmares for weeks afterwards
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in timid
easily frightened
a scary horse who spooked and kicked at its own shadow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in scared
filled with fear or dread
I got a little scary when I heard the noise in the basement
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 scary
That is really, really scary, Come on, agencies, don’t do that.
—
Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
What followed after the woman agreed to fly to the Bay Area was a situation that got progressively scarier, until she was assaulted.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025
What’s so scary about Notre Dame?
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 30 Sep. 2025
Tyreek Hill suffers scary injury Tyreek Hill left the Dolphins’ game against the Jets on Monday Night Football with a gruesome-looking leg injury in the second quarter.
—David Wilson, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scary
Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
What followed after the woman agreed to fly to the Bay Area was a situation that got progressively scarier, until she was assaulted.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025
What’s so scary about Notre Dame?
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 30 Sep. 2025
Tyreek Hill suffers scary injury Tyreek Hill left the Dolphins’ game against the Jets on Monday Night Football with a gruesome-looking leg injury in the second quarter.
—David Wilson, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scary
Adjective
-
The device sounded terrifying – an apparently new, nuclear capable IRBM, fired with multiple conventional warheads, that the Kremlin boasted could rip through European defenses.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
-
He’s supposed to be a terrifying mirror to our discontent.—
Emily Temple
September 30,
Literary Hub,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Even Reach's multiplayer took bold new steps, with the introduction of new mechanics and timid moves towards player classes.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The timid girl, the ruffian guy.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Alolkoy, said despite the bear's small size and obviously scared state, the store quickly erupted in a chaotic scene.—
Rey Covarrubias Jr,
AZCentral.com,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Are players scared to talk about it publicly?—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The steaks cost about $40, compared to a frightening $60-$70 at chain restaurants.—
Bud Kennedy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Sep. 2025
-
And that’s kind of a frightening thing.—
Kate Bradshaw,
Mercury News,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
While mountain lions are highly adaptable to various ecosystems, their numbers declined historically due to being hunted by fearful humans.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Several days pass; the nights alone in the wilderness are especially fearful.—
Judith Thurman,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Taylor Swift knows what excellence requires and is not afraid to demand it.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Don’t be afraid to use your gut instinct.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
If the past offers any guide, however, Havana will instead continue to rely on its formidable security apparatus to repress is citizens, while privatizing in ways that do not threaten the power and privileges of the elite.—
Joseph J. Gonzalez,
The Conversation,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The West will be formidable, as multiple teams could make their mark this season.—
Ricardo Klein,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The frightened campers are supposed to deliver the scares — but that only works as a set-up if the villain is lurking behind the next tree.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Republicans are frightened, too.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scary. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share