spook

²spook

verb

Definition of SPOOK

transitive verb

1

: haunt 3

2

: to make frightened or frantic : scare; especially : to startle into violent activity (as stampeding)

intransitive verb

: to become spooked <cattle spooking at shadows>

Examples of SPOOK

1. The noise spooked the cat.
2. The little girl was spooked by scary masks.

First Known Use of SPOOK

1883

Related to SPOOK

Synonyms: affright, alarm (also alarum), fright, horrify, panic, scare, scarify, shock, frighten, startle, terrify, terrorize

Antonyms: reassure

Related Words: appall (also appal), bowl over, dismay, floor, jolt, shake, shake up; amaze, astound, awe; chill, daunt, demoralize, dispirit, emasculate, psych (out), undo, unman, unnerve, unstring; discomfort, discompose, disconcert, disquiet, distract, distress, disturb, perturb, unsettle, upset, worry

Near Antonyms: assure, cheer, comfort, console, solace, soothe; embolden, encourage, hearten, inspire, steel

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