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
Amber McBride, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
But many parts of the United States will be rain-free for the spook-tacular holiday, including the Southwest and much of the Rockies, according to The Weather Channel.
—Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Bruce Brady, Outdoor Life, 8 Apr. 2026
The war’s financial toll has spooked the president’s economic advisers, a fear that will grow if the war is prolonged.
—Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spook
Noun
The translation squeaks and spooks with imagery of haunts and death.
—Amber McBride, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
But many parts of the United States will be rain-free for the spook-tacular holiday, including the Southwest and much of the Rockies, according to The Weather Channel.
—Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
One poor call won’t spook an aggressive breeding tom.
—Bruce Brady, Outdoor Life, 8 Apr. 2026
The war’s financial toll has spooked the president’s economic advisers, a fear that will grow if the war is prolonged.
—Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spook
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spook
Noun
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Under the plan, FISA, which allows warrantless wiretapping of noncitizens, would be extended for three years, with new oversight guardrails and penalties for abusing the spy tool.—
Hailey Bullis,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Apr. 2026
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Around the same time, the National Reconnaissance Office decided that two of its spy satellites were surplus to requirements and offered the hardware to NASA.—
JOHN TIMMER,
ArsTechnica,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The game went to extras after the Red Sox couldn’t score in the bottom of the ninth, but after Garrett Whitlock sent the Tigers down 1-2-3 in the top of the 10th, Boston only needed a base hit with the game-winning ghost runner starting the inning at second base.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Those themes are alive here, as the ghosts who visit Depp’s Scrooge are intricate, terrifying apparitions not suitable for the whole family.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There’s no surefire way to frighten bees and other stinger pollinators from your home, but there are ways to make your living space less attractive to them.—
Asia London Palomba,
The Spruce,
7 Apr. 2026
-
When to see a doctor Ashamalla stressed that people shouldn’t be frightened by every ache or pain.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
His former clients include the political operatives Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro.—
Diego Lasarte,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2026
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During the same period, Democratic operative Mayra Macías reported raising nearly $102,000 and had more than $159,000 on hand.—
Dan Petrella,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Those themes are alive here, as the ghosts who visit Depp’s Scrooge are intricate, terrifying apparitions not suitable for the whole family.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
-
But he’s journeyed to Lourdes and Our Lady of Guadalupe, both of which the Vatican has officially recognized as supernatural Marian apparitions.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This isn’t a film about trauma, or smuggled-in social issues, or anything at all, really, besides the honest workaday business of scaring the bejesus out of its audience, rinsing, and repeating with extra vigor.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The combination doesn’t scare everyone.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The other soldier is accused of having contact with a foreign agent, transmitting information to the enemy and other offenses, according to the indictment.—
Sean Nevin,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
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In an early morning operation, FBI agents executed arrest warrants across Southern California in connection with federal indictments, according to the agency.—
Brittny Mejia,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The days of the secluded mathematician chalking up a blackboard have largely given way to a collaborative spirit as math has become increasingly technical.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2026
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Customized services from the building’s concierge available to all include events such as wine and spirits tastings that will bring neighbors together.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spook. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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