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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as a furniture-store owner who finds himself in the titular liminal space, a haunting maze of hallways and rooms that exists on a physically impossible plane of existence. — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 24 July 2026 The exhibition’s lighting slowly reveals another haunting detail. — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026
Verb
The Sound and the Fury The Compson family, their struggles, and their haunting legacies are at the center of this shattering, stream-of-consciousness marvel by William Faulkner. — Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026 Abdeen and Sam drove out of Mancelona, and Sam began to sing a quiet, haunting melody. — Rozina Ali, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 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
  • Although consumers do not pay that rate directly, changes to the federal funds rate ripple through the economy, affecting many borrowing and savings rates.
    — Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026
  • The researchers learned that parents were concerned by low-flying helicopter noise disrupting their children’s sleep and affecting their brain health.
    — Caroline Montojo, STAT, 14 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 18 Sep. 2026.

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