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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 specter
Indeed, the tariff threat has only produced enemies and once again raised the specter of Eugene Burdick and William Lederer’s influential 1958 novel, The Ugly American.
—
Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 24 Feb. 2026
Small-business owners gather to discuss the specter of gentrification as their local mall considers mass evictions—a scene that’s provided the same weight as a large Pride march or a dance night at a local bar.
—Vikram Murthi, The Atlantic, 22 Feb. 2026
Even for the most cautious backcountry skiers and snowboarders, the specter of an avalanche is never far away.
—Sacbee.com, 19 Feb. 2026
But the specter of a work stoppage has loomed over the sport ever since.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for specter
Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 24 Feb. 2026
Small-business owners gather to discuss the specter of gentrification as their local mall considers mass evictions—a scene that’s provided the same weight as a large Pride march or a dance night at a local bar.
—Vikram Murthi, The Atlantic, 22 Feb. 2026
Even for the most cautious backcountry skiers and snowboarders, the specter of an avalanche is never far away.
—Sacbee.com, 19 Feb. 2026
But the specter of a work stoppage has loomed over the sport ever since.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for specter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specter
Noun
-
Mercury puts on its best evening apparition of 2025 for Northern Hemisphere observers during these two weeks.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
2 Mar. 2026
-
As the 14-year-old child of a poor family in 1858, Saint Bernadette experienced numerous apparitions of a young woman in a cave or grotto, seemingly the Virgin Mary, asking for a chapel to be built on the site.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Paramount+ series, which follows a group of ghosts stuck in purgatory inside their high school, uses its premise — characters tethered to different decades — as both a narrative engine and a musical one.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
5 Mar. 2026
-
However, the gap to Arsenal is back up to seven points, below, and in trying eradicate it, City are chasing a ghost.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This all-day, rain-or-shine celebration will be overflowing with live entertainment, festive food, family fun and plenty of Irish spirit, including special offerings from Guinness and Jameson, who will be onsite with festive surprises.—
Laura Ness,
Mercury News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Older and younger kids can play together, fostering a spirit of collaboration.—
Stephanie Ganz,
Parents,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Stygiomedusa gigantea, commonly known as the giant phantom jelly, was filmed at 250 meters below the surface.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Old Town The belltower looms like a phantom.—
Chen Yuhong,
The Dial,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Specter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specter. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
