variants
or spectre
as in haunt
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
That raises the specter of an intentional nuclear incident.
—
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 18 June 2025
The defense has tried to raise the specter of the taillight being tampered with after police seized the vehicle and suggested its pieces were planted at the scene.
—Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 16 June 2025
Until its climax, the specter hanging over Zsa-Zsa is Nubar, a fellow arms-dealing magnate who may or may not have killed Liesl’s mother.
—Chris Stanton, Vulture, 13 June 2025
California This set off a major diplomatic spat with Mogadishu, raising the specter of a regional conflict.
—Kate Bartlett, Christian Science Monitor, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for specter
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 18 June 2025
The defense has tried to raise the specter of the taillight being tampered with after police seized the vehicle and suggested its pieces were planted at the scene.
—Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 16 June 2025
Until its climax, the specter hanging over Zsa-Zsa is Nubar, a fellow arms-dealing magnate who may or may not have killed Liesl’s mother.
—Chris Stanton, Vulture, 13 June 2025
California This set off a major diplomatic spat with Mogadishu, raising the specter of a regional conflict.
—Kate Bartlett, Christian Science Monitor, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for specter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specter
Noun
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Another article from that year documented how Cudahy Park was a popular haunt for 18th Streeters, who poured in from various municipalities to congregate, initiate recruits, and hold meetings.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
27 June 2025
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Scroll down to the response form at the bottom to share your memories of our city’s hallowed haunts.—
Danielle Dorsey,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2025
Noun
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Even in areas where plaintiffs theoretically have power—say, in mass tort litigation—Gatsby’s ghost lingers.—
Aron Solomon
June 24,
Literary Hub,
24 June 2025
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On the big screen, he's taken on a wide range of roles, from the titular antihero in Hellboy (2019) and a not-so-jolly Santa Claus in Violent Night (2022) to a friendly ghost dad in We Have a Ghost (2023) and a former race car driver in Gran Turismo (2023).—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
21 June 2025
Noun
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Tokyo’s hospitality scene is as diverse as the city itself, a place of dizzying contrasts where ancient temples sit in the shadow of gleaming skyscrapers, and traditional craftsmanship juxtaposes cutting-edge technology.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
26 June 2025
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The shadow of the current assault on public lands weighs heavy while reading this lovely book.—
Melina Sempill Watts,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2025
Noun
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This is a pen that is both weighty and lighthearted – fitting for the home of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, whose life of bonhomie and good cheer was disrupted by adventure and dragons and ring wraiths and war.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
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The First Shadow was an effect as magical as the telekinetic wraiths emanating above the actors’ bodies.—
Taylor Antrim,
Vogue,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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At least until quarter to 2, when Lindsay Lohan whorls through the door like a raspy chaos phantom.—
Jeff Weiss,
HollywoodReporter,
12 June 2025
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But does Chuck let this phantom haunt him into adulthood?—
Ashley Boucher,
EW.com,
7 June 2025
Noun
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George’s horse spooks and flees; looking up at a ridge, Joe sees Yé’iitsoh.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2025
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The line-up of spooks will be familiar to fans of the British show, with some twists to account for French culture and history.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Venus reaches its point of greatest western elongation on June 1, at which time the dazzling 'morning star' will be at its most distant point from the sun in Earth's sky during its pre-dawn apparition.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
31 May 2025
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The more apparitions that arrive, the more the Delta blues mashes up with hip-hop, rock, and other styles.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Specter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specter. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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