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scariness

scariness

1 4.1
A feeling of fear caused by something you see or hear
  • noun
  • /ˈskɛrɪnəs/
translation icon : miedo
  • The film's scariness left the audience on the edge of their seats.

It's like it has its own kind of scariness to it.

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Examples

  • The scariness of the haunted house was just too much for the timid guests.

  • I have always felt the scariness of this holiday due to the costumes and traditions, but this year it is different.

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  • My son covered his ears during one scene, which was his way of decreasing the scariness without missing out on the action.

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  • I pray for that twinkle to return soon to her, and that you all move forward and soon forget the scariness of this experience.

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  • Scariness is the true measure of a monster.

  • But once you jump off the cliff and get over the initial scariness, the adrenaline rush is very powerful.

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  • But for those with young children, some of the scariness of the night, such as evil-looking skeletons, ghosts, haunted houses, and zombies, may be too much fear and scare for what is supposed to be a fun evening.

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  • Many children are fascinated by the scariness of ghost stories around Halloween.

Synonyms

creepiness
vsscariness
4 5.3

An unpleasant feeling of fear or unease, like insects crawling on your skin

is general fear without the specific skin crawling sensation
eeriness
vsscariness
1 7.2

A strange, quiet feeling that makes you feel afraid or uneasy

is straightforward fear without the strange mysterious tone
horribleness
vsscariness
1 5.9

A very unpleasant, shocking state that causes fear or disgust

is the more general quality of causing fear without strong shock
frightfulness
vsscariness
1 8.1

A strong feeling of fear when something is very scary

is the general quality of causing fear without intense horror
fearsomeness
vsscariness
1 6.9

A quality that makes people feel scared

is the broader quality of causing fear rather than likelihood
ghastliness
vsscariness
1 8.5

A very shocking and horrible sight that scares people

is the general quality of causing fear without gruesome shock
spookiness
vsscariness
1 5.3

A strange, eerie feeling that makes you feel uneasy

is plain fear without playful or ghostly suggestion
dreadfulness
vsscariness
7.7

A very strong feeling of fear when something is shocking or awful

is the general fear causing quality rather than extreme unpleasantness
ghoulishness
vsscariness
8.8

A strange, scary quality like a ghost or monster

is broader fear causing quality, not limited to morbid images

Antonyms

1.0

A place or condition that protects you from danger

9 2.7

A state without strong feelings or worry in your mind

How Scary

terror
282 4.9
horror
441 2.1
scariness
1 4.1
spookiness
1 5.3
unease
19 4.4

Surface Forms

scariness singular
scarinesses plural

Morphology

scariness = scary (transparent) = scary + ness

Formed by the adjective 'scary' plus the nominalizing suffix '-ness'; the meaning is directly the quality of being scary.

Etymology

The word scariness comes from scare, from an old Norse word meaning 'to frighten', and the ending -ness turns it into the 'quality' of being scary. So, scariness means how frightening something is.