as in haunting
of, relating to, or suggestive of a ghost
They spotted a spectral figure in the window of the old abandoned house.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 spectral
Interlune is sending a spectral camera to the moon on an Astrolab rover late this year that will help confirm whether their interpretation of remote imagery of the moon’s geology is correct.
—
Jeremy Bogaisky, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
The team also observed the male spectral bat involved in the rearing of his young, according to the study.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2025
Its multispectral imager is designed to detect different wavelengths of light, as the spectral signatures from light that reflects off 16 Psyche can be used to learn about the asteroid's composition.
—Andrew Jones, Space.com, 25 Aug. 2025
With his deathly pallor and Byronic charm, Stamp was perfect as the self-destructive, swaggering scoundrel who is haunted by visions of a spectral little girl.
—Christina Newland, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spectral
Jeremy Bogaisky, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
The team also observed the male spectral bat involved in the rearing of his young, according to the study.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2025
Its multispectral imager is designed to detect different wavelengths of light, as the spectral signatures from light that reflects off 16 Psyche can be used to learn about the asteroid's composition.
—Andrew Jones, Space.com, 25 Aug. 2025
With his deathly pallor and Byronic charm, Stamp was perfect as the self-destructive, swaggering scoundrel who is haunted by visions of a spectral little girl.
—Christina Newland, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spectral
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spectral
Adjective
-
Redford's career spanned decades, but his portrayal of Death as a quiet guide remains one of his most haunting and human performances.—
Hannah Parry
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Flash forward to Kubrick’s haunting final act when astronaut Dave Bowman is ensconced, spacesuit in tow, in a bizarre, futuristic rococo hotel suite.—
Bruce Dorminey,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Written and directed by Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy, this modern noir with a feminine twist features atmospheric camerawork and framing, as well as an enrapturing score by Jordan Dykstra and Brian McOmber, blending eerie strings with maritime folk.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The trailer shows the player character to be a simple Ditto, the amorphous blob Pokémon capable of copying others’ appearance, taking on the eerie form of a human girl before making its way into the world.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
This whodunnit opens like an old-school murder mystery, with a rich family, a big creepy house and a dead patriarch.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
While this year’s theme has not yet been announced, last year’s iteration was creepy circus-themed.—
Charlie Vargas,
Oc Register,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
These calls -- known as swatting -- panicked at least a dozen schools as police rush to campuses, chasing phantom threats with many of them being racially motivated and targeting historically Black colleges and universities.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The Alias Pro features a 25mm cardioid condenser capsule that captures detailed, natural vocals, paired with a mixer that supplies phantom power and intuitive controls.—
Shubham Yewale,
PC Magazine,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Trillions of ghostly particles called neutrinos stream through our bodies every second, slipping past atoms without a trace.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Participants begin with live actors in red dresses, then transition into VR where ghostly avatars, fragmented scenes of loss, and an uncanny doppelgänger encounter unfold.—
Charlie Fink,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The second reason is that these aura battler designs were very complex and full of curves as well as weird angles.—
Ollie Barder,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Things get weird, however, when the lines between science fiction and fantasy start to blur.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The 25% concentration of acids means this exfoliating toner works fast—like magic, some might say—to give your pores an intense, deep clean and your complexion a supernatural glow.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Musk possesses an almost supernatural ability to conjure investor zeal and create products that redefine entire industries.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spectral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spectral. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share