Synonyms for

Scaring

Verb / ˈskerɪŋ / Another word for scaring — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

to cause fear or frighten someone

Synonyms & similar words

frighten mark scar pock dash pit affright scare daunt fright pall frightening terrifying intimidating daunting alarming petrifying horror-stricken shocking startling spooking horrifying panicking nervous anxious uneasy tense fearful timid cowardly fainthearted

Synonyms by register

Formal

intimidating alarming frightening disconcerting

Informal

freaking out spooking terrifying petrifying

Literary

daunting unnerving appalling

Antonyms

calming reassuring comforting soothing encouraging pleasing

Common collocations

  • scaring the life out of
  • scaring someone to death
  • scaring away
  • scaring off
  • scaring the hell out of
  • scaring the wits out of

Word family

noun scare
verb scare
adjective scary
adverb scarily

Usage note

The word 'scaring' is the present participle of 'scare'. It is commonly used to describe an action that causes fear or fright.

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Example sentences

  1. The haunted house was scaring all of the visitors.
  2. The loud thunder was scaring the dog.
  3. The creepy doll was scaring the little girl.
  4. The horror movie was scaring the audience.
  5. The dark alley was scaring me.

Quotes

  • I'm afraid of losing my obscurity. Genuineness only thrives in the dark. Like celery. - Aldous Huxley
  • Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear. - Mark Twain
  • I was never afraid of anything in the world except the dentist. - Taylor Caldwell

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