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 specter of war is difficult to reconcile with the carefree bustle of downtown Taipei, where on a cool June evening bickering families and doe-eyed couples throng the city’s night markets as ever before.
—
Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Thereafter, the Karem Abu Salem crossing—the only commercial crossing through which goods and aid are allowed to enter the Strip—was forcibly closed, rendering the citizens of the Gaza Strip generally, and the north of Gaza specifically, to confront the specter of hunger once again.
—Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2025
The View From Eleanor and David Democrats are haunted by the specter of Kara Eastman.
—Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Faced with their beloved South Florida trailer park’s imminent closure, three single, older women band together to fight their eviction and save their community while confronting the specter of homelessness.
—Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for specter
Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Thereafter, the Karem Abu Salem crossing—the only commercial crossing through which goods and aid are allowed to enter the Strip—was forcibly closed, rendering the citizens of the Gaza Strip generally, and the north of Gaza specifically, to confront the specter of hunger once again.
—Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2025
The View From Eleanor and David Democrats are haunted by the specter of Kara Eastman.
—Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Faced with their beloved South Florida trailer park’s imminent closure, three single, older women band together to fight their eviction and save their community while confronting the specter of homelessness.
—Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for specter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specter
Noun
-
Fettel is present as a ghostly apparition.—
Will Borger,
Rolling Stone,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Pulse is a ghost story, featuring two interwoven storylines about young Tokyoites who begin to see and hear strange apparitions flitting across their computer screens.—
Katie Rife,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The ghosts of a 37-0 shutout to Iowa less than a month ago still lingered — the boos that faded into silence, the homecoming crowd that emptied before the fourth quarter, the scoreboard stuck on humiliation.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Pacino stars as the enigmatic titular figure, described as part muse, part ghost of cinema past.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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In this spirit, as with Bloomsday, there are Midwinter Day marathon readings!—
Diana Arterian,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
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The 40th release, however, marks the first time the brand has ever released a tequila—an extra añejo blend put together by a leading name in the agave spirits industry.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Gives himself entirely to the race, shoots like a phantom up through the opening and then stands panting in the garret, completely motionless, while his eyes become accustomed to the change of light.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
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There has been a phantom haunting this Matlock season.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Specter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specter. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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