as in afraid
filled with fear or dread
at the sight of the grizzly bear he froze, being too scared to even run away
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in frightened
to strike with fear
thunderstorms have always scared her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scared
Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 6 Feb. 2026
But parents and teachers, many of whom are Latino, were scared for their own families, Ramirez and Nivea said.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 6 Feb. 2026
Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026
Everyone sees what’s happening, but everyone’s scared to talk.
—Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scared
Adjective
But, also overwhelmed and scared – of going from one to three kids, and the unknown.
—Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 6 Feb. 2026
But parents and teachers, many of whom are Latino, were scared for their own families, Ramirez and Nivea said.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
The two women saw broke, scared Diann alone in the lobby of a motel and invited her to stay with them.
—Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026
Everyone sees what’s happening, but everyone’s scared to talk.
—Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scared
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scared
Adjective
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What happens to the funding for buses and light rail when people are afraid to ride them, and no one buys bus tickets?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Feb. 2026
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Too Much Wall Art Wall art is a great way to make a space feel more complete, but don't be afraid to leave some blank space here and there.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This is no longer about ideology, this is about standing up for those who are being wrongly arrested, being unfairly harassed or being made to feel constantly frightened in their own homes.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
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Why was Caesar Augustus frightened of Ovid?—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In one of those realities (the actual one most of us are living in), a growing number of people across the political spectrum are angered, terrified and disgusted by actions being taken in their names by people and agencies which seem to have little or no accountability.—
Brenda Looper,
Arkansas Online,
11 Feb. 2026
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The bodycam video was an eye-opening look at the frightening aftermath of the Brown campus shooting when police were searching room-by-room for the suspect, trying to comfort and care for terrified students, and trying to coordinate with campus police to get past locked doors.—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC news,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Twyla Tharp’s ballet Push Comes to Shove, which premiered in 1976, startled and delighted audiences with its coy, self-referential humor, and its flirtation with popular dance styles such as jazz and tango.—
Sara Krolewski,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2026
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After several chest compressions, Briana startled awake and cried.—
Jayme Fraser,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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You’re just horrified at what those kinds of impacts have.—
Andrew Dampf,
Denver Post,
10 Feb. 2026
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You’re just horrified at what those kinds of impacts have.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Reigning champion Maxwell Jacob Friedman, also known as MJF, looked shocked as the chant began, staring into the camera wide eyed before scanning the crowd.—
Isabel Yip,
NBC news,
5 Feb. 2026
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Fans shared their shocked reactions to the incident on social media.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Public opinion surveys conducted for the report show much of the world is already fearful that is happening.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
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Khanna said his office had been flooded with calls and emails as the mixed messaging left many local residents fearful.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scared.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scared. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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