1
as in terrifying
causing fear
a scary movie that gave the child nightmares for weeks afterwards
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scary
So, the key to providing a scary experience in any of these titles is to give the player enough to let their imagination go and basically create fear.
—
Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026
Tuason and company deserve to be commended for telling a narrative film on such a small scale, but the finished product fails to deliver a conclusion that’s scary enough to justify its lethargic, slow-burn format.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 25 Jan. 2026
But even scarier than choosing which of your three pals to banish is the mission awaiting them in the cabin.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2026
At least 32 babies have already had scary incidents with this toy.
—Anna Halkidis, Parents, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scary
Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026
Tuason and company deserve to be commended for telling a narrative film on such a small scale, but the finished product fails to deliver a conclusion that’s scary enough to justify its lethargic, slow-burn format.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 25 Jan. 2026
But even scarier than choosing which of your three pals to banish is the mission awaiting them in the cabin.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2026
At least 32 babies have already had scary incidents with this toy.
—Anna Halkidis, Parents, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scary
Adjective
-
Sets like Hobbiton and Rivendell (a home for some elves) are breathtaking, the makeup and prosthetics of the orcs still terrifying, and the costumes ethereal and otherworldly.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Jan. 2026
-
And the monsters are truly terrifying.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The siblings have different personalities, according to their keepers; Xiao Xiao is timid while his sister Lei Lei is fearless and adapts to changes quickly.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
25 Jan. 2026
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Oswald’s timid Ludie is gentle, sad and almost childlike in his lack of assertiveness toward his wife.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Children are particularly vulnerable due to their smaller size and natural reaction when scared.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Children of color are scared to be out on the streets and in their cars.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
But that depiction was picked apart by a vast array of online onlookers, from law enforcement experts to ordinary Instagram users, some of whom replayed the videos frame by frame and zoomed in to show the episode in frightening detail.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
25 Jan. 2026
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The news this week that CPW employees are facing a variety of threats from radical elements in both groups of Coloradans strikes us as ironic sad — and frightening.—
The Denver Post Editorial Board,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Alberto Carvalho said promoting outside play is especially important for children after the city was roiled by immigration raids and many fearful parents kept families indoors.—
Christopher Buchanan,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
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This is an inevitable consequence of both political parties, fearful of their extremes, punting for years on an immigration policy that secured the borders and offered a path forward for those who have been here for years and likely now reside in families of mixed citizenship status.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Hundreds of volunteers have packed and delivered grocery boxes to families too afraid to leave their homes.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
People are so afraid to go out and participate in public life regardless of their citizenship status.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
But Isbell runs the race on a stark and formidable solo album and a batting average of six wins for eight nods (prior to this year’s three more).—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
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Van Scoyoc and Cohen will be a formidable one-two duo for Palos Verdes.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
His employees are too frightened to come to work.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 Jan. 2026
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Because of a decision made decades before by frightened parents, these babies may grow up to suffer the misery of cancer — and, always, the risk of passing the curse of illness to future generations.—
Emilie G.C. Thompson,
STAT,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scary. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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