as in spectral
of or relating to a ghost
A ghostly figure appears in the house at night.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 ghostly
The ghostly character doesn't have a particularly significant role in the story, but is a constant nuisance in the tapestry of Hogwarts with antics that include throwing things, making messes, pulling pranks, and generally causing mischief that enrages caretaker Argus Filch.
—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 June 2026
The ghostly, glowing image appears at a monumental size, bathing the faces of those who look out at it in a blue-green light.
—
Jenny Odell,
Longreads,
2 June 2026
In his final years, Garrincha cut a ghostly figure.
—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Those who lay eyes upon the ghostly figure are said to receive a lifetime supply of good luck.
—
Patricia Doherty,
Travel + Leisure,
22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ghostly
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 June 2026
The ghostly, glowing image appears at a monumental size, bathing the faces of those who look out at it in a blue-green light.
—
Jenny Odell,
Longreads,
2 June 2026
In his final years, Garrincha cut a ghostly figure.
—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Those who lay eyes upon the ghostly figure are said to receive a lifetime supply of good luck.
—
Patricia Doherty,
Travel + Leisure,
22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ghostly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ghostly
Adjective
-
The visual intersperses footage from a trip the pair took to Iceland with clips of their Upstate New York home, a fitting backdrop to Sprague’s spectral vocals and wandering synth arcs.
-
However, Cher believes that her ex is nevertheless a spectral presence in her life.
Adjective
-
However, other astronomers were sceptical of the predictions, as no evidence of this phantom third body has been spotted in modern data.
-
The appearance of phantom behavior is basically the result of bookkeeping, said David Andriot, a physicist at CNRS, the French National Center for Scientific Research.
Cite this Entry
“Ghostly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ghostly. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
