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
Peralta’s performance was a nightmare, but scary signs previously popped up.
—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
21 June 2026
Teenagers of the Midnight Society gather around a fire at night and tell each other scary stories.
—
Skyler Trepel,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 June 2026
While the public reception is a little scary to Bird, too, the pair have loved watching the edits roll in, especially since Chiarella dropped a scene pack on social media ahead of the film’s release.
—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
19 June 2026
The Americans endured a scary moment in the 62nd minute when the Australians broke down the right side through Nestory Irankunda who passed back to Cristian Volpato eventually, eventually firing a shot over the bar.
—
David Close,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for scary
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
21 June 2026
Teenagers of the Midnight Society gather around a fire at night and tell each other scary stories.
—
Skyler Trepel,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 June 2026
While the public reception is a little scary to Bird, too, the pair have loved watching the edits roll in, especially since Chiarella dropped a scene pack on social media ahead of the film’s release.
—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
19 June 2026
The Americans endured a scary moment in the 62nd minute when the Australians broke down the right side through Nestory Irankunda who passed back to Cristian Volpato eventually, eventually firing a shot over the bar.
—
David Close,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for scary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scary
Adjective
-
This terrifying, wondrous circle spinning around us here on Earth.
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What would be terrifying is to not have that opportunity.
Adjective
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That might sound too timid in 2026, too reserved for a time when rights are being rolled back every day, and Gauthier recorded a much more direct version of the song late last year.
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And despite a timid political opening that has allowed the return of several opposition leaders and the emergence of others from hiding, over 400 political prisoners remain in custody as of May 25, according to figures compiled by the NGO Foro Penal.
Adjective
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Still, farmworkers across the country are scared to go to work.
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In Utah, doctors continue to reassure scared patients and lobby for better public health policy.
Adjective
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Earlier movie versions have managed the story’s most frightening moments with the limited technology available at the time—much plastic and spongy stuff; monsters in process shots looming over little men; papier-mâché boulders flung from hilltops.
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Even more frightening, the percentage exceeded 50% in many groups, including insects, terrestrial vertebrates, and marine species.
Adjective
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The bitcoin price has fallen sharply in recent months, with traders fearful a further bitcoin price crash could be looming.
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This finding specifically held true for people with fearful and preoccupied attachment styles, two subtypes of insecure attachment associated with a craving for intimacy but, respectively, a deep fear of it or a fear of rejection and abandonment.
Adjective
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That's the part so many seem afraid to say out loud.
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The people who worked for cooperatives were particularly afraid.
Adjective
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More than 30 years ago, Anna and her manager and trusted companion, Betsy Samson (a formidable Denise Burse), fled to Europe on the heels of a highbrow scandal.
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Sure, Carpenter’s cut-the-ruggers are pizzazzing with their flips and cartwheels, but the Grande gang make formidable dance foes in the Sharks and Jets sense of the word.
Adjective
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Even young raccoons can bite or scratch when frightened, and wild animals can carry parasites and diseases, says Rakestraw.
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When customers are frustrated, frightened, confused or considering leaving, those become high-risk moments.
Cite this Entry
“Scary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scary. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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