1
as in spy
a person who tries secretly to obtain information for one country in the territory of another usually unfriendly country
Russia recalled its spooks after the collapse of the Soviet Union
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in ghost
the soul of a dead person thought of especially as appearing to living people
Halloween is the night when spooks and goblins are said to roam abroad
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to frighten
to strike with fear
the sudden noise spooked her out of her skin
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spook
Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2025
Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield are iconic characters that are wonderfully resurrected in this remake, the spooks are top notch, and the whole thing looks, sounds, and plays unbelievably.
—Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2026
The inquiry has alarmed economists and lawmakers in both parties, who warn that even the existence of a DOJ investigation could undermine the Fed’s independence, spook lenders, and keep mortgage rates elevated.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spook
Noun
There will be trick-or-treating, costume contests, spook-tacular inflatables, Halloween crafts and vendor booths to connect with families with community resources.
—Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2025
Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield are iconic characters that are wonderfully resurrected in this remake, the spooks are top notch, and the whole thing looks, sounds, and plays unbelievably.
—Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
In a December letter to the county, the Tropical Audubon Society requested a 300-foot buffer around the rookery island to assure the birds aren’t spooked by people during nesting, while the current design has a gap of 100 feet in some areas.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2026
The inquiry has alarmed economists and lawmakers in both parties, who warn that even the existence of a DOJ investigation could undermine the Fed’s independence, spook lenders, and keep mortgage rates elevated.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spook
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spook
Noun
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For the first time, Pixar hired an outside director, Brad Bird, who drew inspiration from spy films and comic books from the 1960s.—
Mike Barnes,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Jan. 2026
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Fans might recognize her from the streamer's spooky period drama 1899 (2022) or its hit spy thriller Black Doves (2024–present).—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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With a hungry ghost and a series of crippling self-esteem issues in tow, Saccharine leaves a lot for audiences to stomach.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Back at the castle, where the only thing haunting them is the ghosts of slain reality stars, everybody huddles to try to figure out whether to go for Ron or Colton.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Mariana, for example, wrote about children being frightened by school shootings.—
Kayla Huynh,
jsonline.com,
16 Jan. 2026
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While some passengers were said to have been frightened and crying, witnesses to the crash didn’t immediately believe there were any serious injuries.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In 2008, after the Democrats’ sweeping victory of the White House and Congress, the longtime Republican operative Ralph Reed began studying exit polls to understand why so many conservatives who wouldn’t have dreamed of voting for Al Gore or John Kerry had supported Obama.—
Charles Duhigg,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
-
When their husbands are killed under mysterious circumstances, the pair become CIA operatives.—
Diana Lodderhose,
Deadline,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
An apparition will appear before us.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Jan. 2026
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The image combines each planet's nightly positions during separate 2025 apparitions, assembled by astrophotographer Petr Horálek, a NOIRLab Audiovisual Ambassador.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This being an aggravation of the previous injury could scare off even more potential suitors.—
Bryan Toporek,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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But to enter the church, berate peaceful worshipers and scare children crosses a line.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
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At the time, Border Patrol agents were conducting enforcement operations in the area when civilians blew whistles and shouted, forcing authorities to tell the crowd to stay on the sidewalk in order to steer clear of law enforcement activity.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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After another pause, the agent in the black beanie raises his gun again, and five more shots are fired.—
Yahya Abou-Ghazala,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Despite its name, the bar operates as a globally minded cocktail destination with equal attention paid to other spirits, along with small bites and an impressive cigar selection.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Jan. 2026
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What’s unique about Tasovská’s approach is that the entire film is composed of Jarcovjáková’s photographs, infusing her artistic spirit into every frame.—
Matt Minton,
Variety,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spook. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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