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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scary
The 30-year-old, who starred with Houston Dynamo, is attempting a comeback from a scary head injury suffered in February 2024.
—
Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 5 Mar. 2026
While some preschoolers can handle the scarier moments, wait longer to show it to a sensitive kid.
—Karen Cicero, Parents, 5 Mar. 2026
Ottawa’s playoff chances The Senators are on the outside looking in and feel like the scariest of the threats to make a run.
—Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
My youngest has not had her second vaccination yet, and so that's a little scary.
—Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scary
Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 5 Mar. 2026
While some preschoolers can handle the scarier moments, wait longer to show it to a sensitive kid.
—Karen Cicero, Parents, 5 Mar. 2026
Ottawa’s playoff chances The Senators are on the outside looking in and feel like the scariest of the threats to make a run.
—Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
My youngest has not had her second vaccination yet, and so that's a little scary.
—Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scary
Adjective
-
Lisa Piper stood on her back deck and took video of a terrifying scene that played out on the other side of frozen Union Lake as a funnel cloud formed and then dropped toward the ground Friday.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Lisa Piper stood on her back deck and took video of a terrifying scene that played out on the other side of frozen Union Lake as a funnel cloud formed and then dropped toward the ground.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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His hope is to create a new incentive for these timid business leaders, by wiping out a quarter billion or more from their combined market cap.—
Kristin Stoller,
Fortune,
28 Feb. 2026
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At the heart of the series is Deano’s friendship with Kit, his timid best mate from the wealthy side of town.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
And so understandably, Steve was scared and worried about Tony's wellbeing.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The other version of Eztatlán is one most people are scared to talk about.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
And for Slusser, born and raised as a Christian in Texas, just a year and a half living in Northern California had taken a frightening toll.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Mar. 2026
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Protests that kind of were merging toward violence or at least frightening to our diplomats.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Residents in the capital told ABC News the streets were quiet on Monday, with many people having left or else sheltering indoors fearful of airstrikes.—
Patrick Reevell,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
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The other aunt, who does not have children, is in hiding — fearful to approach her front door and risk being seen.—
Anna Heqimi,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Elizabeth Hurley isn't afraid of a re-wear.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Don't be afraid of the rainy season.—
Tom Vanderbilt,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Makes for a pretty formidable opponent, especially in your own division.—
Kevin Sherrington
Mar. 6,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
At 38-24 and a half-game ahead of the Lakers, star center Nikola Jokic’s squad is always formidable — and looking to avenge a loss to Redick’s team in their first matchup, 115-107 in a game Jokic didn’t play.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The facile novelty of adultery is its own mask, a sexy way of dressing up a deep, frightened longing for security.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
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He wasn’t arrested, but Toni Jo was frightened enough to relinquish custody of him and return to Saudi Arabia.—
James Verini,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scary. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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