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haunting 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of hauntingnext
as in eerie
fearfully and mysteriously strange or fantastic the haunting tones of the Highland bagpipes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

haunting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of haunt
as in visiting
to go to or spend time in often much of her time is spent haunting antique shops in search of unique knobs for the curio cabinets she builds

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 haunting
Adjective
The details of Ivester’s murder are so haunting that a juror fainted during Thompson’s trial. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2026 The modern cityscape of Tel Aviv, with its gleaming skyscrapers, its huge and well-lit residential buildings, looms over the picture, both as a haunting background and as telling cutaways. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026
Verb
But bridge sagas have a way of haunting governors, said Adam Myers, a political scientist at Providence College. — ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026 Ollie’s passing prompted the Pecks to talk about death with their children, including a now-haunting conversation that Eloise had with her mom. — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for haunting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for haunting
  1. eerie
  2. visiting
  3. creepy
  4. frequenting
  5. affecting
Adjective
  • An eerie silence, empty halls and security guards marked the end, at least for now, of a once-vibrant public space.
    — Grey Battle, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Below, explore 11 cities reclaimed by nature and the eerie beauty left behind when the earth reclaims what was only momentarily ours.
    — Charlotte Collins, Architectural Digest, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of eerie
Verb
  • Before meaningful numbers of visitors arrive, somebody usually has to take the risk of building the accommodation, transportation, supply chains and services that make visiting possible.
    — Thomas Despin, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Ole Miss is known as one of the most hospitable places in college football for visiting fans.
    — Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of visiting
Adjective
  • There was something really creepy and ugly about the whole thing.
    — Lila Shapiro, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
  • In this intensely creepy horror flick, Jasmine Mathews stars as a young woman with a history of night terrors after her traumatic childhood.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of creepy
Verb
  • Along with frequenting the 187-year-old Neilson’s department store, visitors can eat in one of four Michelin recommended restaurants.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Epps worked as a truck driver, frequenting a route between Miami and Atlanta, according to court documents.
    — Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of frequenting
Verb
  • Iran media reports, however, suggest the shortages are far more wide-reaching, affecting everything from antidepressants to insulin and pregnancy medications.
    — Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Because Scott is in virtually every scene, and his work is so deeply affecting that most people leave the movie thinking about that, not minor shortcomings.
    — Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of affecting

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Cite this Entry

“Haunting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/haunting. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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