variants
or spectre
as in apparition
the soul of a dead person thought of especially as appearing to living people
feeling so terrified that every shadow became a specter
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of specter
Add the specter of military action and only 4% overall said that was a good idea.
—
Chris Brennan, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026
The specter of adverse outcomes from AI technologies is seen as a longer-term threat.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
In the follow-up to his first novel, Lincoln in the Bardo, Saunders again uses the liminal space between life and death — and a specter nostalgic for life as a guide — to examine grief, guilt, and the expanses and limitations of empathy.
—Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026
But the specter of layoffs remains hypothetical for now, and is part of Johnson’s ongoing messaging to hit back at City Council in the weeks leading up to and following his defeat in a 30-18 vote.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for specter
Chris Brennan, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026
The specter of adverse outcomes from AI technologies is seen as a longer-term threat.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
In the follow-up to his first novel, Lincoln in the Bardo, Saunders again uses the liminal space between life and death — and a specter nostalgic for life as a guide — to examine grief, guilt, and the expanses and limitations of empathy.
—Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026
But the specter of layoffs remains hypothetical for now, and is part of Johnson’s ongoing messaging to hit back at City Council in the weeks leading up to and following his defeat in a 30-18 vote.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for specter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specter
Noun
-
The image combines each planet's nightly positions during separate 2025 apparitions, assembled by astrophotographer Petr Horálek, a NOIRLab Audiovisual Ambassador.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
9 Jan. 2026
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Sam slips back into her addiction and as her alcoholism worsens, so do the visions and apparitions that seem to be haunting the forest.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
With a hungry ghost and a series of crippling self-esteem issues in tow, Saccharine leaves a lot for audiences to stomach.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
23 Jan. 2026
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Back at the castle, where the only thing haunting them is the ghosts of slain reality stars, everybody huddles to try to figure out whether to go for Ron or Colton.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Despite its name, the bar operates as a globally minded cocktail destination with equal attention paid to other spirits, along with small bites and an impressive cigar selection.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Jan. 2026
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What’s unique about Tasovská’s approach is that the entire film is composed of Jarcovjáková’s photographs, infusing her artistic spirit into every frame.—
Matt Minton,
Variety,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Investigators said the resident was experiencing excruciating pain from a hernia, phantom leg syndrome and nerve damage from diabetes.—
Natalie Eilbert,
jsonline.com,
12 Nov. 2025
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Gives himself entirely to the race, shoots like a phantom up through the opening and then stands panting in the garret, completely motionless, while his eyes become accustomed to the change of light.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Specter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specter. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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