scare

This word captures the sudden, sharp onset of fear, often triggered by an unexpected stimulus. It carries a more immediate and visceral connotation than "frighten," which can describe a more prolonged state of anxiety. When used as a verb, it frequently implies a tactical use of fear to manipulate behavior, as seen in the pattern of scaring someone into an action. As a noun, the word describes a discrete event of alarm. It can range from a personal, momentary shock to a widespread social panic. In the context of public alarms, such as a bomb scare, it refers to a collective state of tension based on a perceived threat that may or may not be real.