I think 'lonely' and 'forgotten' are very effective. You could start like this: 'In the lonely graveyard, a forgotten tombstone stood. As I approached it, a cold wind blew.' It creates a spooky atmosphere right from the start. There's an air of isolation and the unknown which is very scary.
Effective 'scary 4 word stories' often play on common fears. 'Alone in the woods.' Most people are a bit afraid of being alone in a secluded place like the woods. There could be wild animals, or something more sinister. It quickly taps into that primal fear. Also, using strong and evocative words is key. Words like 'darkness', 'evil', 'haunt' can enhance the scariness even in just four words. For instance, 'Evil lurks here.' It immediately gives a sense of dread.
Use the words to set the mood. For example, if 'foggy' is in the list, start with 'The foggy night made it hard to see.'. Then add a character like 'A lone man was walking'. And introduce something scary using another word like 'dread'. 'He felt a sense of dread as he walked.'.
First, pick out some really spooky words from the word bank like 'haunted', 'ghostly', 'eerie'. Then, start with a setting that gives a sense of unease. For example, 'In the old, haunted mansion at the edge of town...'. Next, introduce a character who stumbles into this creepy place. Build up the tension by using more words from the word bank as the story progresses. Don't rush the scares, let them unfold gradually.
You could start with 'Cursed', 'Malevolent', or 'Dread'. 'Cursed' immediately implies that there is something wrong, something that has been doomed. 'Malevolent' sets the tone for an evil presence. 'Dread' is a feeling that can draw the reader in, making them wonder what is causing this sense of impending doom from the very start of the story.
The element of the unknown makes a scary story effective. When the reader or listener doesn't know what's going to happen next, it creates a sense of unease and anticipation. For example, in a story where a character is walking alone in a dark forest and hears strange noises but can't see the source, that mystery is what scares us.
They often play on common fears. For example, 'Silent Woods, Howl'. The silent woods create a sense of isolation, and the howl breaks the silence in a menacing way. It could be a wolf or something more sinister. Because they are so short, they can quickly trigger these primal fears in our minds. Also, they can be easily remembered, so they stay with us and keep scaring us long after we've heard them.
One factor is the atmosphere. A dark, gloomy and tense atmosphere can immediately put the reader on edge. For example, in 'The Tell - Tale Heart', Poe uses descriptions of the old man's room at night and the slow, stealthy movements of the narrator to create a sense of dread. Another is the element of the unknown. When the reader doesn't know what's going to happen next or what the true nature of the horror is, it's much scarier. Like in 'The Call of Cthulhu', the vast and incomprehensible nature of the cosmic horror is what makes it so effective.
One key factor is the use of suspense. For example, not revealing the source of a strange noise right away. Another is creating a vivid and eerie setting, like a dark, abandoned house. Also, having relatable characters who are in a situation that the reader can imagine themselves in.
One key element is the element of the unknown. For example, in a story where there are strange noises but you don't know what's causing them, it creates fear. Just like in a text story where there's a mystery figure that's only described vaguely.
The art style is crucial. For example, in Junji Ito's works, his detailed and often grotesque drawings add to the horror. The distorted faces and strange body shapes create unease.