familiar spirits

noun

plural of familiar spirit
as in spirits
the soul of a dead person thought of especially as appearing to living people asked the spiritualist to summon the familiar spirit of her late mother for some matrimonial guidance

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of familiar spirits Vermouth is a lower-proof aperitif flavored with herbs, roots, spices, citrus and other botanicals, typically landing somewhere between 15% and 22% ABV—considerably gentler than the roughly 40% ABV of many familiar spirits. — Devin Parr, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for familiar spirits
  1. spirits
  2. apparitions
  3. ghosts
  4. shadows
Noun
  • The spirits industry was pushing trade officials to get back to negotiating.
    — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Groceries Tariffs on Canadian beer, wine, spirits, dairy ingredients and more could cause some price increases during your weekly shopping.
    — Ryley Amond, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of spirits
Noun
  • That is, until miraculous apparitions turn it into a place to be.
    — Marta Balaga, Variety, 17 July 2026
  • Today, the massive complex attracts paranormal investigators who report apparitions, voices, and other unexplained phenomena.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 June 2026
Definition of apparitions
Noun
  • Victorian ghosts, lingering by the stairs, have a way of drawing visitors.
    — Anna Russell, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Set in the present day, ghosts from the past of Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) finally catch up to him, shattering his peaceful retirement in Alaska.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of ghosts
Noun
  • Behind a thick column, lurking in the shadows, a kind looking man with an Irish brogue quietly summoned me.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The consequence is that, even if these models successfully preserve literary materials that might otherwise be lost to time or foundering interest, the source will always remain in the shadows.
    — Francesca Mancino, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of shadows

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familiar spirit
familiar spirits
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Cite this Entry

“Familiar spirits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/familiar%20spirits. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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