specter

noun

spec·​ter ˈspek-tər 

variants or spectre

1

: a visible disembodied spirit : ghost

2

: something that haunts or perturbs the mind : phantasm

the specter of hunger

Synonyms of specter

• apparition
• ghost
• spirit
• phantom

Examples of specter in a Sentence

feeling so terrified that every shadow became a specter

Recent Examples on the Web

Bounce specter Thanasis Antetokounmpo is a free agent. — Zach Harper, New York Times, 23 June 2026

That specter serves as negotiating leverage for both the league and the MLB Players Association. — Cody Stavenhagen, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 June 2026

Nothing else is working to banish the creepy specter of Jeffrey Epstein from his life. — Maureen Dowd, Mercury News, 18 June 2026

The specter of rising living costs could then play a pivotal role in major political decisions over the next year. — Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 17 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

French spectre, from Latin spectrum appearance, specter, from specere to look, look at — more at spy

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing specter

• raised the specter of
• the specter of (something)

Rhymes for specter

• hector
• lector
• nectar
• rector
• sector
• spectre
• vector
• bisector
• collector
• connector
• corrector
• defector

Kids Definition

specter

noun

spec·​ter

variants or spectre

ˈspek-tər 

1

: ghost

2

: something that bothers the mind