scary

adjective

ˈsker-ē How to pronounce scary (audio)
Definition of scarynext
1
as in terrifying
causing fear a scary movie that gave the child nightmares for weeks afterwards

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in timid
easily frightened a scary horse who spooked and kicked at its own shadow

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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

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 During my tenure as a machine learning engineer and AI researcher at Hugging Face and now as the CEO of an AI startup, ​I have watched and participated in the evolution of large language models (LLMs) from being cute to being kind of scary. — Yifeng Yin, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026 The two met through mutual friends, but Thomas says in the documentary that the relationship quickly became controlling and scary. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026 What’s more scary than being a lead international correspondent at a time of multiple brutal wars and violent online rhetoric? — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026 Jason is beloved by fans around the world for creating incredible—and scary—experiences in theatres. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scary
  1. terrifying
  2. timid
  3. scared
  4. frightening
  5. fearful
  6. afraid
  7. formidable
  8. frightened
Adjective
  • Even so, returning to college was terrifying after ongoing health crises led to academic failure.
    — Alexis Lariviere, Washington Post, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The lycanthropy saga, set in an English village in the 13th century, stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson as a man who undergoes terrifying transformations into a werewolf each full moon.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of terrifying
Adjective
  • Moore is genuinely hilarious in the role, transforming under the tutelage of Paul Giamatti’s world-weary director character Jerry from a timid mouse into an indomitable and histrionic artist.
    — Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Carla receives a voice recording that proves that one of the company’s most efficient team leaders, Madame Lalouette (Carine Rouvier), has been verbally abusing the timid Madame Morel (Sandra Le Gall).
    — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of timid
Adjective
  • But others remain scared about losing coverage, including Heather Reel, who attended a rally at the state capitol in July to push back against Montana's early rollout.
    — Aaron Bolton, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Cooper, for his part, acts all scared when Kat mentions visiting him and Gen in Fort Lauderdale.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of scared
Adjective
  • Compulsory worship with frightening dogma, which could lead you equally plausibly to heaven or hell.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Alex Bregman went 4 for 4 with two home runs and four RBIs in his second game back from a frightening injury, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Boston Red Sox 6-2 on Sunday in a regular-season finale that was relocated to Tropicana Field.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of frightening
Adjective
  • And some musicians and songwriters are fearful of how these AI deals might affect livelihoods.
    — Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The investigation into Toro follows a complaint from Bigelow that alleges the workplace culture under Toro’s leadership is characterized as oppressive, bullying and fearful, according to the complaint.
    — Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of fearful
Adjective
  • Despite not registering a goal or an assist in just over an hour on the pitch, the youngster was never afraid to receive the ball and try to make something happen.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026
  • As in the past, the show’s creators are seemingly not afraid to bite the hand that feeds them.
    — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of afraid
Adjective
  • DeFoe has very limited experience fishing at Lake Hamilton, but his partner Gill is one of the most formidable specialists with forward-facing sonar.
    — Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Both EVs share a formidable powertrain specced for serious performance, and feature futuristic styling that wouldn't be out of place in a cyberpunk future.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of formidable
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, some of the frightened and wary passengers wondered about them and whether they could be trusted.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
  • He’s supposed to be embarrassed by me, not frightened for me.
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of frightened

Browse Nearby Words

scars
scary
scat
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Cite this Entry

“Scary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scary. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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