plural hauntings
: an act of haunting
especially
: visitation or inhabitation by a ghost
… its early history is replete with drama: duels, murders, shipwrecks, … even ghostly hauntings. —
Sally Gibson
Sally Gibson When asked about hauntings on Tuesday's tour, [Albert] Walavich said he knew he would get a question about ghosts on Halloween, but he doesn't believe any haunt the grounds. —Taylor Hartz
Taylor Hartz
: having qualities (such as sadness or beauty) that linger in the memory : not easily forgotten
a haunting melody
haunting images
… pale, branchless tree trunks with a haunting, Georgia O'Keeffe quality …—Susannah Master
Susannah Masterhaunting
3 of 3present participle of haunt entry 1
Examples of haunting in a Sentence
Adjective
the haunting tones of the Highland bagpipes
Recent Examples on the Web
Leanna Renee Hieber, Big Think, 2 Oct. 2025
Originally envisioned as a major international production with an American star (Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert Redford and Paul Newman were all considered), the role ultimately went to Donald Sutherland, whose haunting and stylized performance anchors the film’s surreal tone.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025
Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
In fact, this whole jaunt to Flatbush has been a somewhat haunting trip down memory lane for Oliver, who has been having flashbacks of being bullied and judged for his little purple scarf and penchant for the arts.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for haunting
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Noun
By blending history, poetry, and folklore, the ship’s story has become one of New England’s most enduring maritime hauntings.
—Leanna Renee Hieber, Big Think, 2 Oct. 2025
Originally envisioned as a major international production with an American star (Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert Redford and Paul Newman were all considered), the role ultimately went to Donald Sutherland, whose haunting and stylized performance anchors the film’s surreal tone.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Fire offered an evolved take on their post-hardcore calling card, but Water was largely electronic, resulting in a haunting yet serene setting.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
In fact, this whole jaunt to Flatbush has been a somewhat haunting trip down memory lane for Oliver, who has been having flashbacks of being bullied and judged for his little purple scarf and penchant for the arts.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for haunting
Cite this Entry
“Haunting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/haunting. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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