1
as in spirits
the soul of a dead person thought of especially as appearing to living people
looked for ghosts in the graveyard on Halloween
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in damns
the smallest amount or part imaginable
she may be a good endurance runner, but she doesn't stand a ghost of a chance of winning in a sprint
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in relics
a tiny often physical indication of something lost or vanished
the down-at-the-heels town house is but a ghost of the neighborhood's former grandeur
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in demons
an evil spirit
the vengeful ghosts of seamen who were deliberately shipwrecked upon these shores
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ghosts
Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026
This includes some that pass through each other like ghosts, some that interact with each other, exchanging energy, and others that decay into smaller particles, releasing a tiny bit of energy in the process.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 27 Apr. 2026
To explain the human tendency to jump to ghosts as a conclusion, Scatterty points to fish biology.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 27 Apr. 2026
The yarns of Joe Turner interweave gradually, everyday chit-chat, bargaining, and flirtation interlocking over time with threads of mysticism — both the ghosts of a brutal history and the ancestral spirits that stand protective and defiant like a phalanx of angels with shining swords.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 26 Apr. 2026
That doesn’t mean the ghosts here aren’t scary.
—Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2026
Per the log line, in House of Stassi, Schroeder is stepping back into the spotlight to redefine her place in pop culture — but staying on top means confronting the ghosts of her past and a chaotic inner circle with a talent for disrupting her life.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026
The film centers on two fraudulent paranormal investigators who are forced to face real ghosts — and the lies underpinning their business.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026
In other words, there are file traces everywhere, like so many ghosts in a vast bardo, which can sometimes be brought back to life.
—Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
As lawmakers consider helping the Chicago Bears build a new stadium, the ghosts of past stadium deals still haunt the present.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026
This includes some that pass through each other like ghosts, some that interact with each other, exchanging energy, and others that decay into smaller particles, releasing a tiny bit of energy in the process.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 27 Apr. 2026
To explain the human tendency to jump to ghosts as a conclusion, Scatterty points to fish biology.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 27 Apr. 2026
The yarns of Joe Turner interweave gradually, everyday chit-chat, bargaining, and flirtation interlocking over time with threads of mysticism — both the ghosts of a brutal history and the ancestral spirits that stand protective and defiant like a phalanx of angels with shining swords.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 26 Apr. 2026
That doesn’t mean the ghosts here aren’t scary.
—Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2026
Per the log line, in House of Stassi, Schroeder is stepping back into the spotlight to redefine her place in pop culture — but staying on top means confronting the ghosts of her past and a chaotic inner circle with a talent for disrupting her life.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026
The film centers on two fraudulent paranormal investigators who are forced to face real ghosts — and the lies underpinning their business.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026
In other words, there are file traces everywhere, like so many ghosts in a vast bardo, which can sometimes be brought back to life.
—Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ghosts
Noun
-
That put an end to the zero-tariff trade environment for exporters on both sides of the Atlantic and slapped new duties onto Scotch whisky and other spirits sent to America from Britain.—
Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
1 May 2026
-
The bar program, while still in development, is set to involve agave spirits and Mexican wines, with many sourced from the Valle de Guadalupe.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
The central stupa also houses various sacred relics, including tooth relics of the Buddha obtained from Sri Lanka.—
Ethan Teekah,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
1 May 2026
-
Investigations into the small plot of land began in February, after preliminary test digs indicated promising archaeological relics in the area.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
So, instead of looking to exercise some demons from their recent past, the Avs will have the opportunity to get payback for ones from further back in the club’s history.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
2 May 2026
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In Times of Dragons [Universal/Fontana] Dealing with demons is nothing new for Tori Amos, but on her 18th studio album, there’s little that’s figurative about the struggle between human good and Trumpian evil.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
The museum site has been a paranormal hotbed for decades, with sightings of apparitions, security camera footage capturing items flying off shelves, as well as experiences from staff members and visitors.—
Gregory Harutunian,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
There certainly seem to be apparitions in this music, some presence apart from the four musicians and the throngs of fans, which is intensified by the visceral collision of so many sounds.—
Stephen M. Deusner,
Pitchfork,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Wiseman said to hoots from the crowd of media gathered at the site.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Owl hoots are most effective at striking up turkeys when owls are naturally active, which is around dawn and dusk.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The original Marathon address is still on one of the buildings, and there are still little traces of RKO on the west side of the lot that haven’t fully disappeared.—
Chris Yogerst,
HollywoodReporter,
6 May 2026
-
Watson used a chemical that reacts with traces of blood, creating a bluish-purple color on the floor and counter of the bathroom.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Created by a number of its stars, Ghosts originated on the BBC in 2019, following a group of ghouls from different historical periods haunting a country house while sharing the house with its new living occupants.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
25 Mar. 2026
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Now working as a stocker, Ash accidentally unleashes undead ghouls after reading from the Necronomicon, forcing him to take up his chainsaw yet again to save humanity from the Deadites.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Adding the killer’s voice just pads an already too-long book.—
Maren Longbella,
Boston Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Not to say there aren’t some clunkers, most notably a jokey take-me-out-to-the-ballgame baseball number that pads the second act, but the Flaherty-Ahrens score was and is Ragtime‘s signature achievement.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ghosts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ghosts. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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