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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of scared
Joey Ybarra, ABC News, 13 Jan. 2025
If your character is scared, the viewer is scared in the situation.
—Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Jan. 2025
Eventually, a nearby firefighter battling the blaze — shown dressed in gear from head to toe and holding a hose spraying water on a burning home — calls the scared dog up to them and calms the pet down by patting it on the head, while still hosing down the home with their other hand.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 9 Jan. 2025
Hikers Find Cat With Can Stuck On Head, Act Fast To Avert Tragedy
By Brian Dillon
Home & Travel Reporter
1
Hikers came across what appeared to be a cat in distress, and had to act fast to rescue the scared animal.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for scared 
Adjective
While entire neighborhoods were ablaze in Altadena, California, on Wednesday, a scared dog named Max barked at the out-of-control flames engulfing his home.
—Joey Ybarra, ABC News, 13 Jan. 2025
If your character is scared, the viewer is scared in the situation.
—Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Jan. 2025
Eventually, a nearby firefighter battling the blaze — shown dressed in gear from head to toe and holding a hose spraying water on a burning home — calls the scared dog up to them and calms the pet down by patting it on the head, while still hosing down the home with their other hand.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 9 Jan. 2025
Hikers Find Cat With Can Stuck On Head, Act Fast To Avert Tragedy
By Brian Dillon
Home & Travel Reporter
1
Hikers came across what appeared to be a cat in distress, and had to act fast to rescue the scared animal.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for scared
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scared
Adjective
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In need of a way to raise funds, but afraid of the political consequences of implementing new taxes, state lawmakers opted to experiment with a lottery.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA TODAY,
11 Jan. 2025
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Some children might regress to an earlier stage of development, becoming afraid of going to school and leaving their parents.—
Jenny Gold,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Growers reported a drop in workers showing up to their jobs, and advocacy groups saw a surge of frightened families show up to legal workshops on how to protect themselves against deportation.—
Rachel Uranga,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Jan. 2025
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When Julia arrived with a can of cat food, the first kitten had already been adopted, but the second—a frightened and feisty tabby—was still there.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
12 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The movie sees the revival of arch-villain Feathers McGraw, who terrified kids in 1993’s The Wrong Trousers.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
23 Dec. 2024
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My Hugo would chase it and bark at it, or he'd be terrified.—
Benedict Cosgrove,
Newsweek,
20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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One Direction Members and Loved Ones Attend Liam Payne's Funeral By Maggie Ekberg Contributing Entertainment Writer 0 Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors Liam Payne's sudden passing shocked fans worldwide, and now, his cause of death has been confirmed.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
8 Jan. 2025
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Meanwhile, Danni fills in Diana, who’s shocked that Danni was so bold to their boss.—
Emma Soren,
Vulture,
7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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His lack of regard for democratic and institutional norms is overlooked by a large part of the population, and certain friendly and fearful media players.—
Agustino Fontevecchia,
Forbes,
13 Jan. 2025
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In the later stages of the disease, deer become starved, weak and less fearful of humans.—
Sophie Hartley,
Scientific American,
10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Confused and more alarmed, Rippy walked toward Mack’s bedroom, reached in and found a light switch.—
Michael Gordon,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Jan. 2025
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Felecia, having once listened to a podcast that characterized the diagnosis as controversial, grew alarmed.—
Pamela Colloff,
ProPublica,
29 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near scared
Cite this Entry
“Scared.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scared. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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