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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of specter
The jump in mortgage rates over the last two weeks is largely attributed to the specter of inflation, which appeared due to sudden constraints on the world’s oil flow after the war broke out.
—
Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, the threat of AI reshaping the business of making films looms, and the specter of industry collapse, of American cities hollowed out by manufacturing jobs going overseas and workers made obsolete by new technologies, hangs heavy over the boulevards and palm trees of Los Angeles.
—Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026
Somewhere in the next hour after the field is announced, there will be contemplation and whining about the specter of the NCAA growing its postseason field, most likely to 76 teams.
—Mac Engel
march 10, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Mar. 2026
According to the report, Prescott noted that an attorney representing the estate of Best suggested at a press conference on April 9, 2025, that Best was unarmed and raised the specter that officers from the Bridgeport Police Department planted a weapon at the scene.
—Kellie Love, Hartford Courant, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for specter
Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, the threat of AI reshaping the business of making films looms, and the specter of industry collapse, of American cities hollowed out by manufacturing jobs going overseas and workers made obsolete by new technologies, hangs heavy over the boulevards and palm trees of Los Angeles.
—Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026
Somewhere in the next hour after the field is announced, there will be contemplation and whining about the specter of the NCAA growing its postseason field, most likely to 76 teams.
—Mac Engel
march 10, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Mar. 2026
According to the report, Prescott noted that an attorney representing the estate of Best suggested at a press conference on April 9, 2025, that Best was unarmed and raised the specter that officers from the Bridgeport Police Department planted a weapon at the scene.
—Kellie Love, Hartford Courant, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for specter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specter
Noun
-
The story follows a young woman who regains consciousness after three years in a coma, only to be confronted by the apparition of her deceased sister, as their mother’s search for the truth behind the sister’s death gradually uncovers a dark hereditary secret stretching back centuries.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Mercury puts on its best evening apparition of 2025 for Northern Hemisphere observers during these two weeks.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There are ghosts lingering in the story.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Even Kathy Hilton is like a ghost of her former self, with Jen Tilly taking the crown of doddering kook away from her.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Let wonder guide choices that feed your spirit.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Scheffler was thoroughly amused and looked to be in good spirits heading into Sunday.—
Gabby Herzig,
New York Times,
15 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 18 Mar. 2026.
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