This clue appeared in the NYT Crossword on Thursday, February 5, 2026 (51 Down). The answer is hidden below until you want it. Thursday puzzles often have a trick, such as a rebus (several letters in one square) or answers that bend the rules.
How to read this clue
This is a fill-in-the-blank clue: the answer completes the phrase, title or quotation.
Answer length: 5 squares
First letter
S _ _ _ _
First and last letters
S _ _ _ E
Show the answer
About the answer
SCARE as a word: (transitive) To frighten, terrify, startle, especially in a minor way; A cause of terror or alarm; a panic; something that inspires fear or dread.
SCARE has been an answer 3 times in the NYT Crossword and Mini since February 5, 2026.
Other clues with the same answer
More clues from this puzzle
- Barraged with irrelevant material (45 Down)
- HPs, e.g. (47 Down)
- First tennis player to achieve a Golden Slam (48 Down)
- Become acquainted via Gmail, say (50 Down)
- Willing to take part in (52 Down)
- Pine (56 Down)
- Confucian "way" (58 Down)
- Energize, with "up" (59 Down)
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