scared
7 synonyms and 0 antonyms for scared, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Feeling fear; afraid.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
How to use scared
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From scare + -ed.
Full origin of scared →Frequently asked questions
What does “scared” mean?
The word “scared” means feeling fear; afraid. In plain terms, feeling afraid or frightened.
How do you pronounce “scared”?
“Scared” is pronounced skeh-uhd (/skɛ(ə)ɹd/ in IPA).
How do you use “scared” in a sentence?
Here is “scared” used in a sentence: “The kids were scared of the dark.”
What part of speech is “scared”?
“Scared” is an adjective.
Is “scared” a common word?
“Scared” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between scared and afraid?
The two are very close in meaning and usually interchangeable. 'Scared' tends to sound more informal and often suggests a sudden fright, while 'afraid' can feel slightly more formal and also covers milder worry, as in 'I'm afraid I disagree.' In most everyday sentences either word works fine.
What is the difference between 'scared' and 'scarred'?
They look similar but mean different things. 'Scared' means feeling fear or frightened. 'Scarred', with two r's, means marked by a scar, whether a healed wound on the skin or lasting emotional damage. The spellings and pronunciations differ, so take care not to swap one for the other.
What is the opposite of scared?
Words expressing the opposite of scared include brave, fearless, unafraid, calm, confident and bold. Which one fits best depends on the sentence: 'unafraid' simply negates the fear, whereas 'brave' and 'fearless' suggest actively facing danger without being overcome by it, and 'calm' points more to composure.