scare

Formsscares, scaring, scared

Pluralscares

1. 1
   verbtransitive

   To make someone feel afraid, usually for a short time.

   Like jumping when a balloon suddenly pops near you.

   Loud thunder can scare young children.

   The sudden noise scared everyone in the room.

   Similarfrighten, startle, alarm, spook, terrify

   Oppositereassure, calm, comfort, soothe

   Note
2. 2
   nouncountable

   A short feeling of fear that does not last long.

   Like a quick jump in your chest that fades fast.

   The dog gave the children a real scare.

   He had a bad scare when the car nearly hit him.

   Similarfright, start (entry), shock, jolt, turn

   Note
3. 3
   nouncountable

   Something that makes a lot of people feel afraid or worried.

   Like a fire alarm that sends everyone rushing outside.

   The bomb scare cleared the whole building.

   The scare spread through the town, and people rushed to stock up on food.

   Similaralarm, panic, alert, furor

   Note
4. 4
   nouncountable

   An object made to frighten away animals or people.

   Like a scarecrow standing in a field of crops.

   Farmers set up a scare to keep birds off the crops.

   The old scare in the field no longer frightened the crows.

   Similardeterrent, repellent

   Oppositelure

   Note
5. 5
   verbintransitive

   To become afraid easily or in a certain way.

   Like a cat that jumps at any sudden movement.

   That horse scares easily around loud machines.

   Some dogs scare at the smallest sound.

   Similarpanic, spook, startle, flinch

   Note
6. 6
   adjective

   Small in amount and not enough to go around.

   Like a cupboard with almost no food left in it.

   The harvest was scare that year, and many went hungry.

   They survived on a scare ration of bread and water.

   Similarscarce, scanty, lean, meager, short

   Oppositeplentiful, abundant, ample

   Note

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