SCARES Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

scares

verb

present tense third-person singular of scare

as in frightens

to strike with fear thunderstorms have always scared her

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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.

Recent Examples of scares The exposure obviously scares him, but not enough to stop him from filming his next scene, where he’s been tasked with breaking in newcomer Cami Soul. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026 Don’t be afraid to volunteer for a responsibility that scares you a little. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026 Donor turnout hit by heat, health scares The only time the Red Cross previously declared a national blood crisis was in January 2022. — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 29 July 2026 The company will need to regain customers' trust, just as other restaurants like McDonald's, Wendy's and Chipotle have had to in the past after health scares. — Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 17 July 2026 As horror franchises evolve across installments, there’s a natural tendency for the creatives behind them to overthink things and get a bit too lost in the sauce of mythos and worldbuilding and topping themselves with bigger, juicier scares. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 10 July 2026 What scares many of them is the loss of predictability, the sense of no longer recognizing their own reactions. — Dr. Sarah Berg, Time, 9 July 2026 Many suggested that Murray's desire for a massive extension scares them. — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 8 July 2026 Cruises have hit the headlines for this year, from Hantavirus scares to a norovirus outbreak that authorities in Bordeaux to deny anyone disembarkation from an Ambassador Cruise Line ship in May. — Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 6 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scares

Verb

And for members who have a long history, who are used to running on that long history, that frightens them.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Diego Gomez is a stop-gap alternative, but Mitoma remains a key figure who frightens opposing defences with his dribbling speed and influential record in the top flight.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of frightens

Verb

Missile warning startles Dubai Earlier on Friday, a missile warning in the United Arab Emirates caused by a technical glitch underscored the ongoing tensions in the region, following the attack on the cargo vessel and Israeli strikes in Lebanon over the past few days.

— Collin Binkley, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
The combination of flashing light and movement startles them.

— Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 June 2026

Definition of startles

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scared up

scares

scares up

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“Scares.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scares. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of scares

verb

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