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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of scary
Remember to ask questions to get a clear understanding of your partners’ personal views, and try your best not to shy away from the scarier aspects of the discussions—such as death or afterlife.
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Mark Travers, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Somebody who can be funny and scary and scared and a little unaccustomed to human company….
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 4 Nov. 2024
People are definitely on edge and it’s being made worse by the onslaught of negative and scary ads blanketing our television screens and arriving in our mailboxes.
—Abby Sjoberg, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2024
James Van Der Beek has colorectal cancer – a shocking, scary diagnosis for anyone.
—David Oliver, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for scary 
Mark Travers, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Somebody who can be funny and scary and scared and a little unaccustomed to human company….
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 4 Nov. 2024
People are definitely on edge and it’s being made worse by the onslaught of negative and scary ads blanketing our television screens and arriving in our mailboxes.
—Abby Sjoberg, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2024
James Van Der Beek has colorectal cancer – a shocking, scary diagnosis for anyone.
—David Oliver, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for scary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scary
Adjective
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Learn more › While the roar of the mighty Tyrannosaurs rex in the Jurassic Park film franchise is pretty terrifying, it was actually created by Hollywood special effects wizards using the sounds of a baby elephant.Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 22 Nov. 2024
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In this show, the most terrifying threat is not any singular person or group, but rather, the monsters inside us.Andrés Buenahora, Variety, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Julia Roberts had a timid initial reaction to Leave the World Behind.Raven Brunner, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024
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But, yes, there still is a timid approach from the perimeter.Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The latter means a sense of awe and wonder rather than being scared of God.Walt Shelton, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
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Test Your Concept With A Limited Audience My number one tip for those wanting to start a business but are unsure or scared is to start small and validate your idea.Expert Panel®, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The French Lutin fae can turn malicious if insulted, ruining crops and frightening animals.Erik Kain, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
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Sanders has avoided a serious injury after a frightening incident during last night's game against the Kansas City Chiefs.Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Many of the condo residents who were evacuated from the complex, on Waldon Road between Joslyn and Baldwin roads, are fearful of returning, Barnett said.Bill Laytner, Detroit Free Press, 21 Nov. 2024
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This practice can help calm both your body and mind, reducing the chance of spiraling into anxious or fearful thoughts.Mark Travers, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Not being afraid to ask others for help was the most common answer, along with being confident.Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024
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The resulting atmosphere of mistrust can leave immigrants afraid to report crimes or seek help in dangerous situations for fear of deportation.Brian Bennett, TIME, 3 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Angela Lansbury played the formidable Lady Adelaide Stitch, the family’s great-aunt.Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 29 Nov. 2024
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Fellow seniors Kyle Ashman, Noah Clarke and Jordan Ross form a formidable group of fourth-year players who have driven the Mustangs’ run over the last two seasons.Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 29 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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As the far right gets more and more emboldened, these things are going to become more and more common, people are going to be more and more frightened.Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024
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James Giordano, a neurobiology researcher at Georgetown University Medical Center, says getting frightened triggers a specific response in the human body.Jennifer Stavros, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near scary
Cite this Entry
“Scary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scary. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
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