as in eerie
fearfully and mysteriously strange or fantastic
the haunting tones of the Highland bagpipes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Cazzie David, Vogue, 6 Feb. 2026
In 2017, a former store clerk, Pedro Hernandez, was convicted in New York of murder in one of the nation’s most haunting missing-child cases, nearly 38 years after 6-year-old Etan Patz (AY’-tahn payts) disappeared while on the way to a school bus stop.
—ABC News, 29 Jan. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Advertisement Which Wuthering Heights best matches the story’s jagged, haunting landscape to the fighting spirit of its central lovers?
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for haunting
Adjective
Come to think of it, becoming a musician might be the ultimate haunting tactic.
—Cazzie David, Vogue, 6 Feb. 2026
In 2017, a former store clerk, Pedro Hernandez, was convicted in New York of murder in one of the nation’s most haunting missing-child cases, nearly 38 years after 6-year-old Etan Patz (AY’-tahn payts) disappeared while on the way to a school bus stop.
—ABC News, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
Was the Beijing fiasco still haunting her?
—Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Advertisement Which Wuthering Heights best matches the story’s jagged, haunting landscape to the fighting spirit of its central lovers?
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for haunting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for haunting
Adjective
-
But just a year before the series dropped, there was a different high-profile homicide less than two hours from Murphy’s hometown of Indianapolis involving a huge brick mansion and an ominous rubber suit—eerie similarities to the first season of the FX series.—
Eve Batey,
Vanity Fair,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The combination of eerie rubber gloves and makeup artist Emi Kaneko’s oxblood lip at Lii seemed to embody the spirit of the main character of the 2013 sci-fi thriller Under the Skin.—
Arden Fanning Andrews,
Vogue,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That said, finding the right mortgage interest rate for your needs and goals isn't always as simple as visiting your local banking branch.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Zuraff’s case has become the latest flashpoint in Florida’s debate over medical freedom, as video footage of state workers visiting her house in 2024 circulates online.—
Lawrence Mower,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Pick up the phone, and a creepy voice will ask if you, too, like scary movies, before testing your slasher-trivia knowledge.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Also registering is Anna Camp as Jessica, Sidney’s good friend and neighbor, along with her somewhat creepy son, Lucas (Asa Germann).—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Morrison — who’s opening the concept with his wife, Monica — said it’s named after the owl that’s been frequenting his backyard since his sons were born.—
Jenna Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
20 Feb. 2026
-
So instead of criticizing yourself for frequenting the same place over and over again, lean into it even more.—
Ellen O’Brien,
SELF,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Airlines around the world have been forced to cancel flights through multiple cities in the area, affecting thousands of global travelers.—
Karla Cripps,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Snowstorms in January and February disrupted oil refinery operations and production, affecting pricing.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Haunting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/haunting. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
