scaring
Making others jump
Scaring is the act of frightening someone or something.
The word functions as both a verb form and an adjective: You're scaring me describes the action in progress, while a scaring experience characterizes something as frightening.
The related forms scared and scary are more common in most contexts.
Inspiring terror or alarm
- terrifyingEvoking extreme fear
- startlingCausing sudden surprise
- alarmingProvoking fear or anxiety
- unnervingCausing loss of composure
rattling · spooking · panicking · dread · fright · terror · panic · apprehension
Disturbingly unforgettable
- chillingCausing fear or cold
- creepingMoving slowly, stealthily
- spookingAlarming or startling
- terrorizingInstilling extreme fear
horrifying · petrifying · ghoulish · macabre · gruesome · eerie · ghostly · supernatural
Expressing intent to harm
- menacingConveying threat or danger
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
- coercingForcing through intimidation
- pressuringExerting influence to compel
dominating · overpowering · deterring · harassing · browbeating · cowing · daunting · unnerving
Causing mild shock
- joltingShaking with sudden force
- shockingCausing intense surprise
- jarringDisturbingly incongruous
- ambushingSurprise attack from concealment
pouncing · jumping out · loud noise · shriek · scream · bang · pop · flinch
Actively preventing approach
- driving awayCausing to leave
- repellingPushing away forcefully
- discouragingCausing loss of confidence
- preventingStopping before occurrence
scarecrow · keeping away · pest control · predator · trespasser · intruder · wildlife · birds
frightening
Inspiring terror or alarm
- terrifyingEvoking extreme fear
- startlingCausing sudden surprise
- alarmingProvoking fear or anxiety
unnerving · rattling · spooking · panicking · dread · fright · terror · panic · apprehension · trepidation
haunting
Disturbingly unforgettable
terrorizing · horrifying · petrifying · ghoulish · macabre · gruesome · eerie · ghostly · supernatural · monstrous
threatening
Expressing intent to harm
- menacingConveying threat or danger
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
- coercingForcing through intimidation
pressuring · dominating · overpowering · deterring · harassing · browbeating · cowing · daunting · unnerving · aggressive
surprising
Causing mild shock
ambushing · pouncing · jumping out · loud noise · shriek · scream · bang · pop · flinch · gasp
warding off
Actively preventing approach
- driving awayCausing to leave
- repellingPushing away forcefully
- discouragingCausing loss of confidence
preventing · scarecrow · keeping away · pest control · predator · trespasser · intruder · wildlife · birds · rodents
- intimidationthreats, threatening, menacing, intimidate, bullying
- mischiefmischief, hijinks, antics, pranks, antic
scaringcalming
Inducing a settled state
soothing · reassuring · comforting · consoling · relaxing
scaringreassuring
Restoring calm or confidence
emboldening · encouraging · heartening · inspiring · empowering
- scaring the shit out ofFrightening someone severely
- scaring the hell out ofFrightening intensely
- scaring upObtaining with difficulty