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
After receiving some scary results from an MRI last week, Trent Johnston continues to undergo medical tests and meets with an eye doctor in the new episode of TLC’s 7 Little Johnstons.
—
Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 4 Feb. 2025
Anything in this plot is possible in today’s world, which might be the scariest part of the chronicle.
—Barbara Ellis, The Denver Post, 3 Feb. 2025
And as Super Bowl LIX marks the final game of the 2024 football season, the country will look to turn the page on one of the scariest years for brain injuries in recent history.
—Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 1 Feb. 2025
On top of all that, Carolina as an organization views cap space as an opportunity, not a scary thing.
—Pierre Lebrun, The Athletic, 25 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for scary 
Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 4 Feb. 2025
Anything in this plot is possible in today’s world, which might be the scariest part of the chronicle.
—Barbara Ellis, The Denver Post, 3 Feb. 2025
And as Super Bowl LIX marks the final game of the 2024 football season, the country will look to turn the page on one of the scariest years for brain injuries in recent history.
—Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 1 Feb. 2025
On top of all that, Carolina as an organization views cap space as an opportunity, not a scary thing.
—Pierre Lebrun, The Athletic, 25 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for scary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scary
Adjective
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Meanwhile, Irving spent the night venturing off on his own, falling asleep in the forest with terrifying hallucinations.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
7 Feb. 2025
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In its place is the Terran Empire, a brutal and colonizing force that encapsulates the terrifying darkness of this alternative world.—
Angelica Jade Bastién,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Trump could instead lead with Vice President JD Vance’s promise: Boost the Child Tax Credit to $5,000 per child for young families, a progressive idea submitted by Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) last week in a timid insurgency by Republican moderates who prefer to lift middling Americans.—
Bruce Fuller,
Baltimore Sun,
6 Feb. 2025
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Thus far this season, Sheppard, averaging 11.6 minutes per game, has struggled to get acclimated, often appearing timid and indecisive with the basketball.—
Rahat Huq,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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For the past month, California resident Adriana, who asked to be identified by only her first name for privacy reasons, has been delivering food to families too scared to leave their homes.—
Kiara Alfonseca,
ABC News,
8 Feb. 2025
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Ever since Donald Trump won the presidential election last November, kids around the country have been scared about what his promise of mass deportations might mean for them and their classmates.—
Vox Staff,
Vox,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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What ensues is an incredibly artful dance between frightening violence and slapstick humor that reveals both Ani’s inner steel and Igor’s integrity—two strong hooks into the film as a whole.—
Antonia Blyth,
Deadline,
4 Feb. 2025
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For someone living in that position, life can be frightening and overwhelming.—
Bahíyyah Maroon,
Orlando Sentinel,
1 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Afghan nationals who had worked with the United States or NATO forces were particularly fearful of reprisals from the Taliban.—
Sophia Saifi,
CNN,
6 Feb. 2025
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For instance, things like the strict use of the belt and different things about not being able to make mistakes and being very hyper cautious and aware for us and fearful for us.—
ABC NEWS,
ABC News,
6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Moving safely from the clouds to this perch required a steep angle, a dexterous pilot, and passengers more afraid of missing the film festival than of death upon impact.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2025
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That’s what happens often with folks who are afraid to take that step, to start something new or scary.—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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In any case, Spanberger could be a formidable opponent.—
Ross O'Keefe,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
14 Feb. 2025
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Driving the news: Berger has successfully staved off challengers for more than two decades, but Page could prove to be a formidable primary opponent should the two face off next year.—
Lucille Sherman,
Axios,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The roughly seven-minute conversation raises questions about how the misunderstanding occurred and why incorrect information was shared with an already frightened community.—
Nell Salzman,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2025
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Those who have birthright citizenship, those brought here as children and those who have legally applied for asylum are frightened.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near scary
Cite this Entry
“Scary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scary. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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