scared

American  

[skaird] / skɛərd /

adjective

1. filled with fear, terror, or dread, often suddenly; frightened; alarmed.

   The doctor provided not only physical treatment but also moral guidance for scared patients with terminal diagnoses.

   I came into college as a scared freshman and left as a confident, competent adult.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of scare.

Other Word Forms

• unscared adjective

Etymology

Origin of scared

scare ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Marriott for 15 years, said the events in Minneapolis had scared workers, many of whom are immigrants and have begun to worry about even commuting to work during the upcoming World Cup.

From Los Angeles Times

"I am very scared," said one student, their voice barely above a whisper.

From Barron's

The spike in her blood pressure, which had scared her into seeking a prescription, was back to normal within six weeks.

From BBC

For someone who has struggled so much with anxiety, it was perhaps a surprising decision for Judd to go in to performing, but she says she has never felt scared on stage.

From BBC

In an echo of the pandemic, the worker at Burgate Coffee House says he thinks people are scared of being indoors.

From BBC

Related Words

• afraid
• anxious
• fearful
• panicked
• panicky
• startled