phantom

noun

phan·tom | \ˈfan-təm

Definition of phantom

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : something apparent to sense but with no substantial existence : apparition

b : something elusive or visionary

c : an object of continual dread or abhorrence the phantom of disease and want

2 : something existing in appearance only

3 : a representation of something abstract, ideal, or incorporeal she was a phantom of delight— William Wordsworth

phantom

adjective

Definition of phantom (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : of the nature of, suggesting, or being a phantom : illusory

2 : fictitious, dummy phantom voters

Other Words from phantom Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about phantom

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Examples of phantom in a Sentence

Noun

The book is about the phantoms that are said to haunt the nation's cemeteries. The crisis is merely a phantom made up by the media.

Adjective

People claim to have seen a phantom ship floating on the lake. A number of ballots from phantom voters had to be thrown out.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Then -- then Judge Kavanaugh is fighting a phantom. — Fox News, "Kennedy: Kavanaugh is firm that allegation didn't happen," 18 Sep. 2018 Lately, Mill has been something of a phantom himself. — Dan Deluca, Philly.com, "Why Meek Mill and the Sixers are made for each other," 27 Apr. 2018 Smelling disorders, including phantom smells and a lack of smell, can be a sign of serious health problems. — NBC News, "Phantom smells may be a sign of trouble," 10 July 2018 In Thursday’s 3-2 loss, home plate umpire Mark Ripperger drew the ire of Green with a phantom hit by pitch ruling. — Kevin Acee, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Padres rally to beat Braves after Andy Green is ejected," 15 June 2018 She was tormented by phantom-limb pain, and Melzack was struck by her linguistic resourcefulness in describing it. — Nicola Twilley, The New Yorker, "The Neuroscience of Pain," 9 May 2016 The Chinese Communist Party — ably aided by its jingoistic state media — has long exploited the phantom of meddlesome Western nations determined to keep China down. — Time, "China’s Xi Jinping Offers Trade Concessions, but They May Not Be Enough to Satisfy Trump," 10 Apr. 2018 Roseanne depicts politics as a kind of phantom that descends from outside for white people to politely argue over, something that has little actual impact on the lives of these characters. — Todd Vanderwerff, Vox, "The Roseanne revival, and the argument over how TV depicts Trump supporters, explained," 30 Mar. 2018 But seeing a woman play Mueller, someone who's menacing Trump and is seen by people inside the White House as either an omnipresent phantom or an axe always about to fall, probably makes his blood boil in a whole new way. — Luke Darby, GQ, "Kate McKinnon's Robert Mueller Proves Kate McKinnon Can Make Anyone Funny," 21 Jan. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

To be sure, at the turn of the century during the phantom airship waves, some had speculated that the vessels spotted might be from another planet. — Greg Eghigian, Smithsonian, "How UFO Reports Change With the Technology of the Times," 2 Feb. 2018 Then, Los Cafeteros equalized on Juan Quintero’s free kick (hit under the wall!) that came after a phantom Japanese foul. — Grant Wahl, SI.com, "Russia Continues to Surprise, While Japan, Senegal Earn Landmark World Cup Wins," 19 June 2018 Mexico’s phantom drug Much more fentanyl is being seized along the Mexican pipeline. — Kristina Davis, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Fentanyl has taken over America's drug market. Where is it coming from?," 17 June 2018 Two beloved phantom stores survive in Boyle Heights and Bell Gardens. — Chris Nichols, Los Angeles Magazine, "These Vintage L.A. Chicken Joints Have Yet to Kick the Bucket," 26 June 2018 The chief sponsor of the League of Nations busied himself in his youth devising constitutions for a phantom yacht club and his college baseball team. — Richard Norton Smith, WSJ, "‘The Moralist’ Review: The High and Rocky Road," 19 Apr. 2018 However, the resentful Ike remains a constant phantom menace, always lurking in the shadows. — Stephen Dalton, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Tina': Theater Review," 17 Apr. 2018 Now the piece about the famous sleuth’s pursuit of a phantom pooch returns to town in a new production at Scripps Ranch Theatre. — James Hebert, sandiegouniontribune.com, "In the wings: Scripps Ranch Theatre on the trail of 'Baskerville'," 16 Mar. 2018 Peña Nieto’s image was also tarnished by a scandal involving the first lady’s unregistered purchase of a $6 million marble home, and the channeling of millions of dollars through public universities to phantom companies. — Maya Averbuch, The New Republic, "What Turns an Outsider Into a President?," 23 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'phantom.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.