as in haunting
of, relating to, or suggestive of a ghost
They spotted a spectral figure in the window of the old abandoned house.
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Recent Examples of spectral
The mantis shrimp is nature’s high-speed boxer with multi-spectral vision, a creature that hits faster than a bullet’s acceleration and sees the unseen.
—
Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025
And the measurements of the scalar spectral index, plus the limits on primordial gravitational waves, favor certain models of inflation (like slow-roll, single-field models) while disfavoring others (like hybrid inflation and large-field models).
—Big Think, 14 Oct. 2025
Scientists have long suspected that the will-o’-the-wisp’s spectral glow came from a chemical reaction in gases released by decaying organic matter.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
And in the Greenbrier Valley Theatre, a 19th century murder and spectral testimony remains one of Appalachia's most haunting legends.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spectral
Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025
And the measurements of the scalar spectral index, plus the limits on primordial gravitational waves, favor certain models of inflation (like slow-roll, single-field models) while disfavoring others (like hybrid inflation and large-field models).
—Big Think, 14 Oct. 2025
Scientists have long suspected that the will-o’-the-wisp’s spectral glow came from a chemical reaction in gases released by decaying organic matter.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
And in the Greenbrier Valley Theatre, a 19th century murder and spectral testimony remains one of Appalachia's most haunting legends.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spectral
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spectral
Adjective
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Held captive in a shadowy basement, Michelle’s ordeal blurs the line between paranoia and revelation on Teddy’s remote ranch, where his hive of bees becomes a haunting metaphor for control.—
Tiana DeNicola,
Variety,
4 Nov. 2025
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The image of the delicate pink suit splattered with blood is one of the most haunting juxtapositions in modern history.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
1 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The office also provides real-time election feedback — and an almost eerie level of transparency — in the form of 59 cameras live-streaming operations 24/7.—
Rose Evans
November 3,
Idaho Statesman,
3 Nov. 2025
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Halloween plans could change on a whim, conversations could take wild turns and the costumes could be especially shocking, given their eerie resemblance to your worst nightmare.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The moment played out on Season 3 of The Traitors, when Sandoval and the other contestants braved a creepy cabin full of singing dolls and had to memorize and perform backwards nursery rhymes.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
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The rapper began teasing the 11-song project with some suitably creepy videos and visuals on social media just a few hours before the LP’s midnight release.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Today, guests say the laughter hasn’t faded entirely, with reports of footsteps, flickering lights and phantom chatter ringing through the halls.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
25 Oct. 2025
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No trail, just rock after rock, a phantom rattlesnake curled in every crevice.—
Rowan Jacobsen,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Some of these are described by a narrator and visualized as ghostly incursions from the past.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
7 Nov. 2025
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But as old tensions flare between them, Katie begins to experience terrifying visions and a ghostly presence warning of something sinister lurking aboard.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Our weird mayor finds ways to stay busy—too busy to call the mayor-elect and say congrats, apparently.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
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Josh is so great with coming up with different chords and weird chords.—
Julyssa Lopez,
Rolling Stone,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Mamdani represents a supernatural sea change from politics as usual.—
Newsweek Contributors,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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The blockbuster — which follows a treasure hunter who accidentally awakens a cursed Egyptian priest with supernatural powers — also cemented Fraser as a bankable action hero.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spectral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spectral. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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