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
Try This Instead
Try This InsteadFor
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a scary movie
a scary thought
a terrifying thought
a horrifying thought
a frightening thought
a chilling thought
a horrible thought
scary stories
a scary time
a scary situation
a terrifying situation
a dangerous situation
a frightening situation
a bad situation
a crazy situation
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scary
Read on to learn how to watch it for your next scary movie night.
—
Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Despite playing a mother and a wife since her early 20s, Lawrence, after embracing these roles in her real life, goes all the way in her upcoming leading role, embracing all the scary, unnerving, and traumatic aspects of motherhood.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 17 June 2025
Hayes was in a scary accident that ended his career early, but his former teammate, Ruben Cervantes, played by Javier Bardem, calls on Hayes to return.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025
Graduation is a very scary and uncertain time for foster teens.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for scary
Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Despite playing a mother and a wife since her early 20s, Lawrence, after embracing these roles in her real life, goes all the way in her upcoming leading role, embracing all the scary, unnerving, and traumatic aspects of motherhood.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 17 June 2025
Hayes was in a scary accident that ended his career early, but his former teammate, Ruben Cervantes, played by Javier Bardem, calls on Hayes to return.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025
Graduation is a very scary and uncertain time for foster teens.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for scary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scary
Adjective
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John Hoffman via Facebook In a statement released on Thursday night, the Hoffman family recounted the terrifying attack, saying they were woken up by someone impersonating an officer who was banging on their door at 2 a.m.—
Stephen Swanson,
CBS News,
20 June 2025
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Whether the result of drugs, alcohol or general hysteria, these terrifying men would enter trance-like states and charge into battle, ignoring severe injuries and collapsing into a feeble heap immediately after the fight concluded.—
Drew Gerber,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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At the time, David was a bit timid around dogs and initially kept his distance.—
Jordan Greene,
People.com,
3 June 2025
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In the film, Colin, a timid man is swept off his feet when Ray, an enigmatic, impossibly handsome biker takes him on as his submissive.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
29 May 2025
Adjective
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Remember, this animal is likely scared too. Do not move toward the shark.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2025
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The story itself is stripped to bone and sinew: a sleepy New England beach town that wants tourist dollars more than truth, an invisible killer in plain water, and three men — one scared sheriff, one cocky scientist, one Ahab of a fisherman — set adrift to settle nature’s score.—
Philip Martin,
Arkansas Online,
19 June 2025
Adjective
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Which isn’t to say that the film isn’t frightening.—
Aaron Couch,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2025
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The fumes are certainly easier to ignore or deny than the visceral, immediate violence of serial murder—which is much rarer, and yet, for many, much more frightening.—
Sarah Weinman,
The Atlantic,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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Fed officials have been reluctant to move, fearful that tariffs Trump implemented this year could cause inflation in the coming months.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
18 June 2025
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The law was blocked by a judge, but Martinez said some workers and companies are still hesitant and fearful of enforcement.—
Carolyn Komatsoulis,
Idaho Statesman,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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Like Tracy, the high school student, Jordan was afraid of the overpass.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
17 June 2025
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The content creator and homebody is not afraid of canceling weekend plans to enjoy his rent.—
Steven Bertoni,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
Adjective
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Soon after, he was joined by his brother, Tonga Loa, creating a formidable new tag team within the group.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
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Krishnamurthi is also a star cricket player for the U.S. senior national team, a contributor to their recent run of strong form that included a win over a formidable Pakistan team in the T20 World Cup last year.—
Christian Babcock,
Mercury News,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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Instead, federal authorities are hiding, apparently too frightened of online provocateurs and in-person hecklers to do their duty in plain sight.—
Anita Chabria,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2025
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Others who live close to the jail were downright frightened.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scary. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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