HAUNTING Synonyms: 87 Similar and Opposite Words

haunting 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of haunting

as in eerie

fearfully and mysteriously strange or fantastic the haunting tones of the Highland bagpipes

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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

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

While the haunting serial murders are the mainstay within the show, Kay also smartly addresses resentments in the police department between patrol cops and detectives and even officers who turn on each other. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026 Destiny is dead, but its ghost lives on, haunting those who killed it. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for haunting

Recent Examples of Synonyms for haunting

Adjective

In a campaign known as Operation Wandering Soul, US forces played recordings of eerie sounds and voices where combatants were fighting in the jungle.

— Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
At maximum eclipse, much of the moon may take on an eerie reddish hue as sunlight filtered through Earth's atmosphere is refracted into the shadow and onto the lunar surface.

— Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of eerie

Verb

Todd, who produces the film, recalls the emotions of visiting the set for the first time, during a scene that struck a personal chord with her experience with her son.

— Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
There are also the vendors, games, rides, and exhibitors that must juggle visiting other state fairs into their schedules.

— Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of visiting

Verb

After completing his four-year stretch, Clayton-Thomas in 1962 began frequenting the music scene on the Yonge Street strip, when Arkansas rockabilly great Ronnie Hawkins gave him his first paying job in music.

— Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2026
Arthur Van Wyk, who produces comedy events in Durban, began frequenting the bar some three decades ago.

— Hannah Giorgis Yohannes, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 June 2026

Definition of frequenting

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“Haunting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/haunting. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of haunting

adjective

verb

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