scare quotes

plural noun

1. a pair of quotation marks used around a term or phrase to indicate that the writer does not think it is being used appropriately or that the writer is using it in a specialized sense: Compare air quotes.

   a “huge breakthrough” in the negotiations.

scare quotes

plural noun

1. quotation marks placed around a word or phrase to indicate that it should not be taken literally or automatically accepted as true

Word History and Origins

Origin of scare quotes¹

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

The scare quotes only hint at how overwrought these discussions can become among obsessives and stans.

From Los Angeles Times

Jackie is now a manifestation of Shauna’s guilt and the two “talk” frequently — scare quotes necessary — a fact that rightly weirds out her teammates.

From New York Times

The updated story features Erin Reed, a trans writer and legislative researcher — and needless to say the scare quotes are where they belong, around the “ism.”

From Los Angeles Times

The scare quotes I put around parental rights and protecting kids will invite immediate denunciation and provide an opportunity to say that terrible liberals like me are against parents exercising their responsibilities and protecting children.

From Washington Post

I use scare quotes because there was no tax cut, only a deferral of unpaid taxes into the future.

From Salon