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
Don’t expect to see Luke Skywalker in any of the upcoming films Lucasfilm has planned — even as a spectral Force Ghost.
—
James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 2 June 2025
It was created from copper thread that had been braided and embroidered onto water-soluble fabric, then dissolved to leave spectral patterns of the thread.
—Liam Hess, Vogue, 30 May 2025
However, the researchers involved with the new study have confirmed that certain areas of Europa’s surface contain crystalline ice, aligning with spectral data captured by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 29 May 2025
Astronomers can then sift through that starlight and look for spectral fingerprints that hint at an atmosphere’s composition.
—Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spectral
James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 2 June 2025
It was created from copper thread that had been braided and embroidered onto water-soluble fabric, then dissolved to leave spectral patterns of the thread.
—Liam Hess, Vogue, 30 May 2025
However, the researchers involved with the new study have confirmed that certain areas of Europa’s surface contain crystalline ice, aligning with spectral data captured by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 29 May 2025
Astronomers can then sift through that starlight and look for spectral fingerprints that hint at an atmosphere’s composition.
—Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spectral
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spectral
Adjective
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Despite his persistent claims of innocence, Chester Weger lived six decades in prison after confessing to the haunting 1960 Starved Rock State Park murders of three suburban Chicago women who were attacked during a hike in broad daylight.—
Christy Gutowski,
Chicago Tribune,
24 June 2025
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But what began as an ordinary evening would soon become one of the region's most haunting cold cases.—
Christina Coulter,
People.com,
7 June 2025
Adjective
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Eisenberg completed an eerie song praising West Elm as an oracular realm, then asked Scardino to write a short monologue to set it up.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
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To get it in your inbox, sign up for free here. CNN — Some of the most intriguing science fiction springs from eerie, real-life phenomena.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
29 June 2025
Adjective
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Although Gi-hun wants to save as many people as possible, he’s forced to continue playing the remaining games, including a terrifying round of double Dutch involving the creepy giant dolls.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
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As the creepy trailer begins, the deserted ghost town is put on full display.—
Liza Esquibias,
People.com,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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These actively reduce phantom power draw which is the energy consumed by electronics even when they are turned off.—
Dianne Plummer,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
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There are about 3,600 bunkers on Sazan, armored cement mushrooms emerging from the vegetation or perched on mountaintops like lookouts against phantom American aircraft carriers or Soviet frigates.—
Marzio Mian,
The Dial,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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Ticket Information Beneath the modern bustle of Euston Station lies a ghostly network of unused tunnels, platforms, and passageways that once formed part of the early Underground.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
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However, this ghostly nature also makes neutrinos incredibly tough to detect.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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Sometimes your audio is all screwed up and echoing, there are weird pauses everywhere, and nothing interesting gets said.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
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People talk about uncanny valley in terms of the look of these robots – there’s kind of a weird uncanny valley thing going on as well with AI artwork.—
Katcy Stephan,
Variety,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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Along with being experts in the martial arts, many of the competitors exhibit supernatural abilities.—
Michileen Martin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
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To ask for advice is to reach for a person whose vision exceeds yours, for reasons supernatural (oracles, mediums), professional (doctors, lawyers), or pastoral (parents, friends).—
Merve Emre,
New Yorker,
16 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spectral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spectral. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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