scare
1 of 2verb
ˈsker 
scared; scaring
transitive verb
: to frighten especially suddenly : alarm
intransitive verb
: to become scared
scarer noun
scare
2 of 2noun
1
: a sudden fright
2
: a widespread state of alarm : panic
scare adjective
Synonyms
Verb
- affright
- alarm
- alarum
- fright
- frighten
- horrify
- panic
- scarify
- shock
- spook
- startle
- terrify
- terrorize
Noun
- alarm
- alarum
- anxiety
- dread
- fear
- fearfulness
- fright
- horror
- panic
- terror
- trepidation
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb You scared me. I didn't see you there. Stop that, you're scaring the children. Noun There have been scares about the water supply being contaminated. fired over their heads in order to throw a scare into them
Recent Examples on the Web
Daryl Perry, USA TODAY, 30 July 2022 The street criminal — not the corny Hollywood version but the real thing — has a different relationship to the physical world than the rest of us do, because danger doesn’t scare him. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 26 May 2022 Our Democracy is unraveling before our eyes and the loss of our independent judiciary should scare us all. Tara Kole, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 July 2022 One of the things is it’s very easy to jump out and scare me. Kate Aurthur, Variety, 18 June 2022 One film was designed to warm my heart, the other was determined to scare it out of me. Odie Henderson, BostonGlobe.com, 9 June 2022 The mix of practical and computer-generated effects used to bring these behemoths to life has evolved by leaps and bounds, but their ability to stir and scare us — much less provoke even a moment’s thought — is a thing of the ancient past. Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2022 Then the con artist attempts to scare you about the possibility of cancer. Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 7 June 2022 Given that our economy can scare itself to death, Musk and Dimon should discuss the facts and vent their anxieties off-mic. Laurence Kotlikoff, Forbes, 6 June 2022 Caleb Stultz, The Courier-Journal, 14 Sep. 2022 Coke stopped advertising the soda after a cancer scare involving saccharin, the sweetener used in Tab, and the retro pink cans were quickly forsaken for Diet Coke, which launched in 1982. Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 23 Aug. 2022 Fetterman, who was hospitalized after the May health scare, is expected to offer emotional remarks about his experience. Editors, USA TODAY, 12 Aug. 2022 Pennsylvania voters have quietly questioned their nominee’s fitness in the weeks after the health scare. Isabella Murray, ABC News, 4 June 2022 After a health scare, his father had fallen down, and Morby jumped out of his chair, held his father’s head with one hand, and snapped his fingers with the other in front of his father’s face. Grant Sharples, SPIN, 9 May 2022 Chappelle was introducing Black Star when the attack occurred, and the duo went on to perform after the scare. Dan Heching, PEOPLE.com, 6 May 2022 After a health scare and the loss of his mother a few weeks ago, Fuscellaro said in an email, his mental and physical health deteriorated. Washington Post, 28 Apr. 2022 The Sox received more positive news, deciding to not place Luis Robert on the IL after a scare Thursday. Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2022 See More
Verb
These specialists are able to handle dogs in a way that won’t scare them. Daryl Perry, USA TODAY, 30 July 2022 The street criminal — not the corny Hollywood version but the real thing — has a different relationship to the physical world than the rest of us do, because danger doesn’t scare him. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 26 May 2022 Our Democracy is unraveling before our eyes and the loss of our independent judiciary should scare us all. Tara Kole, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 July 2022 One of the things is it’s very easy to jump out and scare me. Kate Aurthur, Variety, 18 June 2022 One film was designed to warm my heart, the other was determined to scare it out of me. Odie Henderson, BostonGlobe.com, 9 June 2022 The mix of practical and computer-generated effects used to bring these behemoths to life has evolved by leaps and bounds, but their ability to stir and scare us — much less provoke even a moment’s thought — is a thing of the ancient past. Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2022 Then the con artist attempts to scare you about the possibility of cancer. Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 7 June 2022 Given that our economy can scare itself to death, Musk and Dimon should discuss the facts and vent their anxieties off-mic. Laurence Kotlikoff, Forbes, 6 June 2022 Noun
Several buildings near Cherry Hall were evacuated after the first scare, but after the material was found to be not a threat, all buildings at WKU were open and operational as of 1 p.m., according to the school. Caleb Stultz, The Courier-Journal, 14 Sep. 2022 Coke stopped advertising the soda after a cancer scare involving saccharin, the sweetener used in Tab, and the retro pink cans were quickly forsaken for Diet Coke, which launched in 1982. Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 23 Aug. 2022 Fetterman, who was hospitalized after the May health scare, is expected to offer emotional remarks about his experience. Editors, USA TODAY, 12 Aug. 2022 Pennsylvania voters have quietly questioned their nominee’s fitness in the weeks after the health scare. Isabella Murray, ABC News, 4 June 2022 After a health scare, his father had fallen down, and Morby jumped out of his chair, held his father’s head with one hand, and snapped his fingers with the other in front of his father’s face. Grant Sharples, SPIN, 9 May 2022 Chappelle was introducing Black Star when the attack occurred, and the duo went on to perform after the scare. Dan Heching, PEOPLE.com, 6 May 2022 After a health scare and the loss of his mother a few weeks ago, Fuscellaro said in an email, his mental and physical health deteriorated. Washington Post, 28 Apr. 2022 The Sox received more positive news, deciding to not place Luis Robert on the IL after a scare Thursday. Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English skerren, from Old Norse skirra, from skjarr shy, timid
First Known Use
Verb
13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Noun
circa 1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing scare
Kids Definition
scare 1 of 2
verb
ˈsker
scared; scaring
: to become or cause to become frightened
Your stories scare the children.
scare
2 of 2noun
1
: a sudden feeling of fear : fright
2
: a widespread state of alarm
There was a scare that the disease would spread.
scare 1 of 2
verb
as in to frighten
to strike with fear thunderstorms have always scared her Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- frighten
- terrify
- startle
- spook
- shock
- panic
- fright
- terrorize
- horrify
- alarm
- shake
- scarify
- affright
- distract
- amaze
- alarum
- appall
- make one's flesh crawl
- give one the creeps
- make one's flesh creep
- worry
- jolt
- shake up
- dismay
- disturb
- awe
- unnerve
- astound
- daunt
- unsettle
- appal
- bowl over
- upset
- dispirit
- distress
- discomfort
- emasculate
- disconcert
- demoralize
- floor
- disquiet
- perturb
- chill
- unman
- discompose
- undo
- unstring
- psych (out)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- reassure
- assure
- cheer
- comfort
- soothe
- encourage
- inspire
- console
- steel
- embolden
- solace
- hearten
scare
2 of 2noun
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
- fear
- anxiety
- fearfulness
- panic
- fright
- terror
- dread
- worry
- horror
- alarm
- trepidation
- concern
- dismay
- creeps
- phobia
- alarum
- jitters
- nervousness
- willies
- agitation
- apprehension
- qualm
- pang
- funk
- disquiet
- consternation
- perturbation
- discomposure
- twinge
- timidity
- cowardice
- faintheartedness
- timorousness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- assurance
- confidence
- boldness
- daring
- courage
- fortitude
- fearlessness
- aplomb
- bravery
- nerve
- stoutness
- audacity
- hardihood
- self-assurance
- guts
- gallantry
- dauntlessness
- self-confidence
- courageousness
- valor
- intrepidity
- doughtiness
- intrepidness