What this puzzle's theme words aim to do

Question:

Answer:

SCARE

Length:

Similar Crossword Questions:

Engagement gift (both words suit this puzzle's theme)
Attendance check, and a hint to the puzzle theme in the first words of the starred answers
Traditional location of one of this puzzle's theme words
Place to fix this puzzle's theme words?
"Magic" words that are the theme of this puzzle
Question not asked in this puzzle's theme words
Number of times this puzzle's theme word appears diagonally in the grid (to complete the puzzle, shade those words plus the Down answers that begin where they meet)
What the self-contradictory words found in this puzzle's theme answers are examples of
Place to use this puzzle's theme words?
Choice words swapped in this puzzle's theme answers
Theme word inside this puzzle's theme words
Alternative words used as alternatives for each other in this puzzle's theme answers
Like the theme words in this puzzle?
Famous last words (and homophonically, a hint to this puzzle's theme)
World Series of Poker game (and the theme of this puzzle)
Antelope with spiraled horns (and a hint to this puzzle's theme)
"I haven't heard anything yet," or the theme of this puzzle
"Finger lickin' good" sloganeer, and a hint to this puzzle's theme
Department in a store where you might buy this puzzle's theme
School readiness program and a hint to this puzzle's theme
"Pearls Before Swine" character [See the NOTE for the theme of this puzzle.]
Annual October 24 observance related to this puzzle's theme
Words of reproach, and a hint to how the four longest puzzle answers are formed
Event celebrated in this puzzle, and an example of how the theme works
What each theme answer in this puzzle does