specter

noun

ˈspek-tər How to pronounce specter (audio)
variants or spectre
Definition of specternext
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 But for all of the good vibes, there is a specter haunting books and bookselling—several of them, really. — Literary Hub, 16 July 2026 Those concerns were amplified by the specter of a separate, slow-moving application seeking to build nearly 300 apartments across from Jefferson Elementary School less than minute up the road. — Mark Dee july 9, Idaho Statesman, 9 July 2026 But adding capacity also raises the specter of a potential supply glut down the road if demand cools off. — Bailey Lipschultz, Fortune, 5 July 2026 Shaky peace talks to formally end the Iran war means the specter of inflation also still remains, according to analysts. — Dj Simmons, Charlotte Observer, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for specter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specter
  1. apparition
  2. ghost
  3. spirit
  4. phantom
Noun
  • That is, until miraculous apparitions turn it into a place to be.
    — Marta Balaga, Variety, 17 July 2026
  • The music starts to shift beginning with the third episode, when Lestat becomes overwhelmed by the apparition of his abusive maker and other ghosts, including Claudia, whose killing he’d been forced to witness firsthand.
    — Hannah Giorgis Yohannes, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026
Definition of apparition
Noun
  • The first major Roman poet, Ennius, describes a dream in which Homer’s ghost appeared to him and explained that souls transmigrate after bodily death; this poetic spirit would now take up residence in Ennius.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 July 2026
  • When Odysseus meets Sinon’s ghost — enraged by the circumstances of his death outside Troy — at the entrance to the underworld during his voyage home, Sinon warns Odysseus of the dangers his family faces back in Ithaca.
    — Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026
Definition of ghost
Noun
  • The finished bottle is aimed at drinkers looking for a wine-style alternative rather than a mocktail or spirit substitute.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 22, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026
  • And for a distinct touch of local character, step into Appalachian Root Works, a boutique and wellness space with an eclectic indie spirit.
    — Kristy Tolley, Travel + Leisure, 22 July 2026
Definition of spirit
Noun
  • That’s the £312 million phantom.
    — Maman Ibrahim, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
  • Such a designation, evidently, would save agents from wasting time chasing phantoms.
    — Adam Ciralsky, Vanity Fair, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of phantom

Browse Nearby Words

spectators
specter
specters
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Specter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specter. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on specter

Nglish: Translation of specter for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of maverick

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
thumbnail graphic with text word of the day quiz
Weekly "Word of the Day" Quiz See how well you know each Word of the Day for Ju...
See All