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
Nara Smith is safe after a scary driving experience on the East Coast.
—
Athena Sobhan, People.com, 20 Jan. 2025
After some scary complications, the procedure was successful.
—Jason Kane, NBC News, 18 Jan. 2025
Which sounds kind of nerdy and scary simultaneously.
—Davey Winder, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
In the pilot alone, season two feels a little scarier than one.
—Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for scary 
Athena Sobhan, People.com, 20 Jan. 2025
After some scary complications, the procedure was successful.
—Jason Kane, NBC News, 18 Jan. 2025
Which sounds kind of nerdy and scary simultaneously.
—Davey Winder, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
In the pilot alone, season two feels a little scarier than one.
—Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for scary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scary
Adjective
-
Cumberbatch, in a few moments, expresses the depth of this father’s agony, the terrifying chasm of it.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
26 Jan. 2025
-
Six episodes centre on a variety of different dinosaurs, from terrifying carnivores to docile herbivores.—
John Yoo and John Shu,
Newsweek,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Woods stars as Louise, who transforms from timid wallflower into the famed burlesque dancer known as Gypsy Rose Lee.—
Kristen Tauer,
WWD,
20 Jan. 2025
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The video introduces several of GRRR's residents, including George, a timid golden retriever who was abused and is now slowly building his confidence around people.—
Lydia Patrick,
Newsweek,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Everyone in the audience laughed when the capybara first appeared onscreen, even the little kid behind us who had cried earlier, scared of some of the calamities befalling the feline hero.—
Gary Shteyngart,
The New Yorker,
27 Jan. 2025
-
One day, the story goes, the villagers discovered Nian was scared of loud noises, fire and the color red.—
Stephanie Lam,
The Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Listen to this article California’s blazing wildfires and last year’s destructive hurricanes in the Southeast are frightening examples of the dramatic impacts of climate change.—
Adriana Pérez,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Jan. 2025
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Coming full circle, the FBI also warned users to beware this frightening new threat in a special advisory last month.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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America under Trump’s second presidency is fearful for its borders and the potential terrorists that might be coming in through them.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
24 Jan. 2025
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Trump has grasped the strength of this leverage in a way the Biden Administration, which was fearful of sparking global inflation through tougher sanctions, did not.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
TIME,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Democrats and Republicans are afraid that their civil rights and their civil liberties are in jeopardy and look to the courts to protect their 14th and 15th Amendment rights.—
John Yoo and John Shu,
Newsweek,
24 Jan. 2025
-
Just look at the Salem Witch Trials, which targeted people who weren’t afraid to live somewhat unconventional lives, like women who were financially-independent or unmarried.—
Roya Backlund,
StyleCaster,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Despite this, in 1980, in a turning point that helped give rise to the formidable power of the New Right, Reagan continued to lean heavily on the Panama issue in his successful campaign against Carter.—
Julie Greene / Made by History,
TIME,
22 Jan. 2025
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When Judkins’ 70-yard run set up his 1-yard scoring run for a 28-7 lead, Leonard and the Fighting Irish faced a formidable deficit that couldn’t be addressed on more quarterback keepers.—
Charles Odum,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Growers reported a drop in workers showing up to their jobs, and advocacy groups saw a surge of frightened families show up to legal workshops on how to protect themselves against deportation.—
Rachel Uranga,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Jan. 2025
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When Julia arrived with a can of cat food, the first kitten had already been adopted, but the second—a frightened and feisty tabby—was still there.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
12 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near scary
Cite this Entry
“Scary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scary. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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