the specter of (something)
idiom
: a notion or fear of something bad that might happen in the future
a nation alarmed/haunted by the specter of famine/war
News of the disease raised the specter of a possible plague.
Examples of the specter of (something) in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Still, Gaines, as well as conservative lawmakers and other anti-trans activists, has used the specter of Thomas and transgender athletes to pursue a nationwide movement to ban them from competing in women’s sports.
—
Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 4 July 2025
The tariff − the highest U.S. tariff on any country − is raising the specter of steep price hikes on goods imported from China.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Analysts note Mamdani’s promises to raise corporate taxes and income taxes on millionaires and freeze rents raise the specter of a leftward shift for America’s biggest city.
—Christer Holloman, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
Zohran Mamdani’s promises to raise corporate taxes and income taxes on millionaires and freeze rents raises the specter of a leftward shift for America’s biggest city, whose already strapped finances have Wall Street worried.
—Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 24 June 2025
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Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 4 July 2025
The tariff − the highest U.S. tariff on any country − is raising the specter of steep price hikes on goods imported from China.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Analysts note Mamdani’s promises to raise corporate taxes and income taxes on millionaires and freeze rents raise the specter of a leftward shift for America’s biggest city.
—Christer Holloman, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
Zohran Mamdani’s promises to raise corporate taxes and income taxes on millionaires and freeze rents raises the specter of a leftward shift for America’s biggest city, whose already strapped finances have Wall Street worried.
—Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for the specter of (something)
Cite this Entry
“The specter of (something).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20specter%20of%20%28something%29. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
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