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jump scare

American  
[juhmp skair] / ˈdʒʌmp ˌskɛər /

noun

  • jump scares
    plural
  1. in a movie or video game, a sudden movement, appearance, or loud sound meant to startle the viewer.


Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

There’s a pause before a brief jump scare and a crash cut to static.

From Salon May 30, 2026

But bringing audiences together for a funny movie is just as important as getting them to collectively flinch during a jump scare, filmmakers said.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 20, 2025

It’s important that the pervasive jump scare could happen to you.

From Slate Jul. 22, 2024

Each of these micro jokes functions like a jump scare — just unexpected enough to elicit a tiny gasp.

From New York Times Jan. 17, 2024

Instead of jump scare after jump scare, Saul’s novels aim to take readers on an eerie journey during which empathy is built for the characters, and evil and mystic ongoings don’t just happen without reason.

From Seattle Times Oct. 27, 2023

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