as in frightening
to strike with fear
thunderstorms have always scared her
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Recent Examples of scaring
According to Bloomberg, analysts are already antsy about increasing prices scaring away customers, particularly as the cost of living continues to rise.
—
Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 5 Feb. 2026
Most of that money would go to compensate ranchers for cattle eaten by wolves and for guard dogs, scaring devices or other means to keep them away from livestock.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
How to tell her about this terrible event without scaring her?
—Jessica Tzikas, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
California’s declines can be more properties for sale, nudging sellers to compete on price, and a wobbly economy scaring off some potential buyers.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 20 Jan. 2026
But that argument risks perpetuating a bloody dictatorship and scaring off foreign investors.
—Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2026
After scaring off the animal, one of the hikers, a physician, attempted to revive Kovatch, but did not find a pulse.
—Outside, 6 Jan. 2026
Talk openly about world events—without scaring them Even young children absorb bits of information about conflict, violence, and disaster—whether through classmates, TV in a waiting room, or overheard adult conversations.
—Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 31 Dec. 2025
When the pin is pulled, the alarm will release a siren in tandem with a strobing LED light, drawing attention to the dangerous situation and scaring away would-be threats.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 2025
Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 5 Feb. 2026
Most of that money would go to compensate ranchers for cattle eaten by wolves and for guard dogs, scaring devices or other means to keep them away from livestock.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
How to tell her about this terrible event without scaring her?
—Jessica Tzikas, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
California’s declines can be more properties for sale, nudging sellers to compete on price, and a wobbly economy scaring off some potential buyers.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 20 Jan. 2026
But that argument risks perpetuating a bloody dictatorship and scaring off foreign investors.
—Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2026
After scaring off the animal, one of the hikers, a physician, attempted to revive Kovatch, but did not find a pulse.
—Outside, 6 Jan. 2026
Talk openly about world events—without scaring them Even young children absorb bits of information about conflict, violence, and disaster—whether through classmates, TV in a waiting room, or overheard adult conversations.
—Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 31 Dec. 2025
When the pin is pulled, the alarm will release a siren in tandem with a strobing LED light, drawing attention to the dangerous situation and scaring away would-be threats.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scaring
Verb
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Clumsiness notwithstanding, bringing a criminal case against a journalist who was reporting on a protest is an authoritarian tactic—a means of frightening the press away from uncovering the truth.—
Quinta Jurecic,
The Atlantic,
30 Jan. 2026
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But monks there complained that the slain king was walking around at night, frightening them with strange sounds.—
Rivka Galchen,
New Yorker,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Like the strung-up coyotes, the Ghoul typically looks normal from afar but terrifying up close.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2026
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That’s terrifying on a whole different level.—
Will Harris,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Big Tech's spending plans are spooking investors as of late, but these plans could also signal a buying opportunity, according to Canaccord Genuity.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
9 Feb. 2026
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Penn’s presence became a form of soft validation for a project that was already spooking investors, undermining private industry through expropriations, and hollowing out checks and balances.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Hauge called that startling, given that court filing fees alone cost just as much.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
4 Jan. 2026
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Saturday, startling his sister.—
Andrew Ramos,
CBS News,
7 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scaring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scaring. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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