as in to frighten
to strike with fear
thunderstorms have always scared her
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in fear
the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger
fired over their heads in order to throw a scare into them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scare
Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 28 Mar. 2025
There are assignments within Alex’s original assignment, adding bullet points to her to-do list, like playing in a recital and completing Elizabeth’s true-love questionnaire, as well as further obligations to do other things that scare her for a week straight.
—Courtney Howard, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
Caroline Framke, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
Duffy’s participation in the daily ritual of millions of New Yorkers comes amid his subway scare tactics, with the secretary threatening to withhold federal funding for the system over perceptions of crime — despite the NYPD declaring 2024 the safest year for straphangers in more than a decade.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scare
Verb
The duo, known for their horror scares thanks to movies such as Sinister, Doctor Strange and The Black Phone, will write the screenplay with Derrickson set to direct.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 28 Mar. 2025
There are assignments within Alex’s original assignment, adding bullet points to her to-do list, like playing in a recital and completing Elizabeth’s true-love questionnaire, as well as further obligations to do other things that scare her for a week straight.
—Courtney Howard, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
In worse news, Shuai’s messy meatball gives a bottom-three scare.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
Duffy’s participation in the daily ritual of millions of New Yorkers comes amid his subway scare tactics, with the secretary threatening to withhold federal funding for the system over perceptions of crime — despite the NYPD declaring 2024 the safest year for straphangers in more than a decade.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scare
Verb
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For the most part, yes, although children ages 8 and younger might be frightened by some of the action sequences.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2025
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Despite these protections on paper, permanent residents and visa-holders have been frightened by the speed and ferocity of the Trump administration’s crackdown and its bulldozing of due process rights, said Neil A. Weinrib, an immigration attorney for more than four decades.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The spread of antivaccine misinformation in the previous year had caused fear and uncertainty, which kept many families from vaccinating their children against measles.—
Dr. Josh Green,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2025
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By the end of the month, the new moon in Taurus invites you to embrace more intimacy and transformation in your love life, even if that means facing your fears in the process.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Robbins’ parents were terrified that the school was using the laptop to spy on their son and other students (including their daughter Paige).—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
8 Apr. 2025
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The thought of dying without finding out what happened to her son terrifies Petrone.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN Money,
6 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Consumer sentiment fell sharply in April, marking the fourth consecutive month of declines, as an intensifying trade war fueled anxiety over American jobs and rising inflation.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2025
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For the next year, Munn battled postpartum anxiety.—
Danielle Pergament,
SELF,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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One of the movie’s scenes — startling for its frankness but also its visual beauty — finds the men reclined in the dark of the mine.—
The New York Times,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
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Advertisement The investigations left some school leaders startled and confused, wondering what prompted the inquiries.—
TIME,
TIME,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Trump faces growing pushback from his own party The markets were still in a panic on Monday when an unverified report circulated that the president was considering a 90-day pause on the tariffs.—
Time,
Time,
10 Apr. 2025
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Later that night, his girlfriend called her in a panic and told her about the shooting.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scare. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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