jump scare
noun
variants
or less commonly jump-scare
or jumpscare
plural jump scares also jump-scares or jumpscares
: a scripted moment (as in a film or video game) intended to startle the audience
The biggest jolts in "The Omen" … come from conventionally staged jump scares, where a nasty image suddenly flashes on the screen accompanied by a startling sound effect.—
Li Wang
Li Wang… differentiates itself from other VR [=virtual reality] horror games by not resorting to cheap jump-scares, instead flexing its brilliant visuals to build an atmospheric sense of foreboding.—Chris Button
Chris ButtonExamples of jump scare in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This is atmospheric, haunting television, focused more on being subtly unsettling than on traditional jump scares or shocking scenes.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2024
Using a decidedly arthouse approach to horror, The Babadook heavily focuses on the psychological aspects of the genre rather than jump scares or supernatural fright, with the central monster of the story representing Amelia’s repressed grief and mental anguish over her husband’s death.
—Travis Bean, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024
Why do people go on ghost tours? Unlike a haunted house or a horror movie, ghost tours aren’t necessarily designed to raise your blood pressure with jump scares.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024
The Ghoul House maze monsters wear ghastly disguises and deliver jump scares designed to thrill, chill and terrify just like their Fright Fest, Scary Farm and Horror Nights compatriots.
—Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for jump scare 
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.
Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2024
Using a decidedly arthouse approach to horror, The Babadook heavily focuses on the psychological aspects of the genre rather than jump scares or supernatural fright, with the central monster of the story representing Amelia’s repressed grief and mental anguish over her husband’s death.
—Travis Bean, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024
Why do people go on ghost tours? Unlike a haunted house or a horror movie, ghost tours aren’t necessarily designed to raise your blood pressure with jump scares.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024
The Ghoul House maze monsters wear ghastly disguises and deliver jump scares designed to thrill, chill and terrify just like their Fright Fest, Scary Farm and Horror Nights compatriots.
—Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for jump scare
Articles Related to jump scare
Dictionary Entries Near jump scare
Cite this Entry
“Jump scare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jump%20scare. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share