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a scary movie
a terrifying movie
a spooky movie
a freaky movie
a nightmarish movie
a paranormal movie
a scary thought
a terrifying thought
a horrifying thought
a frightening thought
a chilling thought
a horrible thought
scary stories
spooky stories
creepy stories
ghostly stories
frightening stories
freaky stories
a scary time
a terrifying time
a dangerous time
a worrisome time
a traumatic time
a scary situation
a terrifying situation
a dangerous situation
a frightening situation
a bad situation
a crazy situation

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 Blum is also staying true to the company’s philosophy about finding good stories, things that are genuinely scary, rather than trying to stack them with stars or buzzy directors and figure out the rest later. Brian Welk, IndieWire, 5 June 2025 Its stern warnings are scary and uncomfortable--the headaches, indigestion, muscle spasms, body aches, clenched teeth or knots in your chest. Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025 Epic Universe Ride Guide: New park rides ranked from tame to super scary Check out our Epic Universe reviews of the new theme park’s 11 ride experiences, including Harry Potter, Stardust Racers, Mine-Cart Madness and Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, which place guests in some unreal environments. Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 June 2025 That’s a level of transactional friction in the global economy that is multiples higher than long-prevailing rates, yet less decisively scary than the punitive plan that crashed the market and created the early-April buying opportunity, at the moment of peak uncertainty. Michael Santoli, CNBC, 2 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for scary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scary
Adjective
  • May has been equally terrifying for Ukrainian civilians.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 27 May 2025
  • As the mysterious contract killer Vincent, Cruise brings his usual on-screen qualities — strict professionalism, precise physicality, ruthless persistence — but turns them on their head to embody a terrifying, amoral murderer.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 24 May 2025
Adjective
  • The confident smile the until then timid Giulio wears on his face as a result is equally cliched.
    Tomris Laffly, Variety, 25 May 2025
  • The slope of that ramp makes Pike’s Peak look timid.
    Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 May 2025
Adjective
  • While gold is a popular choice when investors are scared, other alternatives such as infrastructure and real estate offer similar protection.
    Eric Satz, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
  • Plus, hearing from the new owners, those dogs have also been scared and skittish around humans.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • The ensuing action is gory and frightening — and even Wong got a little spooked by Hawkins.
    Eric Andersson, People.com, 31 May 2025
  • This is incredibly damaging to career prospects and, given how little knowledge exists in mainstream medical and occupational health circles, can feel confusing and frightening for those who don’t know where to turn for advice.
    Nancy Doyle, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • As the Republican Party braces for aftershocks from President Donald Trump’s spectacular clash with Elon Musk, lawmakers and conservative figures are urging détente, fearful of the potential consequences from a prolonged feud.
    Chris Megerian, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2025
  • That has put greater attention on the employment data, with investors fearful that upcoming reports will start to show consumers and businesses crumbling under the weight of tariffs.
    Sarah Min, CNBC, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • On the experimental end, the label isn’t afraid to push boundaries, as evidenced by Magnificent Little Dudes, a captivating collaboration between Japanese ambient artist Chihei Hatakeyama and jazz drummer Shun Ishiwaka.
    Steve Baltin, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
  • Your soul craves experiences that deepen your understanding of the world; don’t be afraid to indulge in it.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • Everything points to the fact that Karolína’s exceptional talent has caught the attention of the formidable and much admired choirmaster.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 3 June 2025
  • Sinha’s strategic interventions have substantially scaled up businesses, powering a formidable sales pipeline by assisting the company in landing enterprise-level engagements.
    Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 3 June 2025
Adjective
  • Horses are naturally skittish animals that can easily become frightened and bolt.
    Moná Thomas, People.com, 27 May 2025
  • Footage from the immediate aftermath captured mothers and fathers clutching children on their hips, running through the mist of water dousing the flames, while frightened dogs scrambled alongside them.
    Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 23 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Scary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scary. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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