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 the dark matter passed right through and continued on, like a specter passing through a wall. — Quanta Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026

At a time of high infant mortality and short lifespans, the specter of early death hangs over them as friends and family members die with great and sudden frequency. — Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Notable releases include a novel about police brutality, the return of Barbara Kingsolver, 1980s fiction and a deep dive into the very real specter of artificial intelligence. — Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 8 Oct. 2026

Newsom said Mansfield, because of budget shortfalls, was facing the specter of staff reductions and school closures. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Oct. 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