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

But dissenting justices said the law also applies to other sperm donors and raised the specter that the majority's decision could lead to children having three parents. —Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2025

Then there’s the looming specter of Hollywood strikes with the guild contracts expiring. —Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 31 Dec. 2025

Others still worry about the specter of nuclear weapons. —Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Dec. 2025

The same specter of redundancy haunts both Hamnet and Jay Kelly. —Susie Goldsbrough, The Atlantic, 28 Dec. 2025

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