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
John, especially, after the publication of his second book of nonsense verse and stories, had finally cottoned onto the idea of putting some of his literary impulses to good use in song, resulting in some of his most haunting Beatles-era tracks. — Darryn King, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026 The Vegetarian by Han Kang, 208 Pages This haunting novel lures readers when a woman’s sudden decision to stop eating meat triggers a destructive crisis in her family. — Arabella Hau, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2026
Verb
One Southern California town is even encouraging residents to secure hallowed decorations—the giant skeleton and inflatable pumpkins haunting front lawns. — Simmone Shah, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 Throughout October, ghost tours are giving visitors a look at the neighborhood's history and haunting local lore. — Madeline Montgomery, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for haunting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for haunting
  1. eerie
  2. visiting
  3. creepy
  4. frequenting
  5. affecting
Adjective
  • But some of Georgia’s eeriest stories don’t require special effects.
    — Eli Goodstein, AJC.com, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The track begins with an eerie, atmospheric guitar clang, but Gosling and his bandmate, Zach Shields, quickly pick up the pace, finding a sweet spot between unvarnished post-punk production and arena-sized emotions.
    — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of eerie
Verb
  • The year before, Milton Reynolds had discovered the pen while visiting Buenos Aires, and rushed home to create his own version, the Reynolds Rocket, which hit stores on October 29, 1945.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Simply visiting a phishing page does not automatically mean your information was stolen.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of visiting
Adjective
  • Fashion goths — think Gabbriette, Amelia Gray, and Tish Weinstock — are resetting the aesthetic mainstream, taking otherwise dark and creepy aesthetics away from the margins of subculture.
    — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The model called upon a team of stylists to turn her into the creepy and scaly figure of Greek myth.
    — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of creepy
Verb
  • Inside McGuire’s Irish Pub, the moody, maze-like dining room is a far cry from the bright and airy seafood joints most vacationers are used to frequenting.
    — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2026
  • O’Neil remains friends with Lizzie, frequenting Maplecroft well into their old age.
    — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of frequenting
Verb
  • Sanders, who spoke alongside el Sayed in Grand Rapids, said Trump’s attacks on the Democratic candidate were rooted in Islamophobia because Republicans have little to say about the issues affecting working families.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Executives with the authority to make decisions affecting cybersecurity must carry appropriate accountability for those decisions.
    — JC Gaillard, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 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 31 Oct. 2026.

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