poltergeists

noun

plural of poltergeist
as in spirits
the soul of a dead person thought of especially as appearing to living people we thought a poltergeist was knocking dishes off the shelves, but it turned out to just be vibrations from passing trains

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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 poltergeists There are newspaper clippings, from the 1950s through to the 2000s, concerning ghost sightings, or reports of poltergeists in market towns or children who appear to possess uncanny extrasensory powers. — Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poltergeists
  1. spirits
  2. ghosts
  3. apparitions
Noun
  • The three will open Terruño Ancestral Spirits in the LoDo space later this month, showcasing spirits from their native Mexico along with traditional dishes beyond the Tex-Mex style that has become commonplace in the states.
    — Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Unlike many other spirits, gin allows each botanical to play a defining role in the final profile.
    — Jillian Dara, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of spirits
Noun
  • Twelve-year-old Harmony is fascinated by ghosts and determined to photograph one.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The Canadian producer/musician creates songs that feel like they’re haunted by their own ghosts, laced with intertwining echoes, tiny sonic fractures, and a palpable sense of place.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of ghosts
Noun
  • That is, until miraculous apparitions turn it into a place to be.
    — Marta Balaga, Variety, 17 July 2026
  • Today, the massive complex attracts paranormal investigators who report apparitions, voices, and other unexplained phenomena.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 June 2026
Definition of apparitions

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poltergeist
poltergeists
poltroon
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Cite this Entry

“Poltergeists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poltergeists. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on poltergeists

Nglish: Translation of poltergeists for Spanish Speakers

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