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
Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
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
Robert Frank, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
One downtown restaurant reported a 70% revenue drop after customers were spooked by the National Guard presence at an adjacent hotel.
—Cleve R. Wootson Jr. The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spook
Noun
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
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
Verb
At the same time, wealthy consumers could be spooked by volatile stock markets.
—Robert Frank, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
One downtown restaurant reported a 70% revenue drop after customers were spooked by the National Guard presence at an adjacent hotel.
—Cleve R. Wootson Jr. The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spook
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spook
Noun
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Healey announced a similar military operation in November after Russia deployed the spy ship Yantar to the North Sea in 2025.—
Robert McGreevy,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Less than a week before the incident, the victim testified against Mohammed in an eviction hearing, prompting Mohammed to accuse him of being a government spy.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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That’s news to the ghost of President Lyndon Johnson and the still-communist capital of Hanoi.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
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Until that happens, the ghost bikes will remain — stark, silent reminders of lives cut short and a call for safer streets.—
Alexa Liacko,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Some frighten people, while others delight them.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The marsupial escaped from Sunshine Farm in Necedah, a village about 90 miles away from Madison, on March 25, after being frightened by barking dogs, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY Network.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Witness testimony described a system in which funds were funneled through intermediaries and political operatives, with Venezuelan officials playing a central coordinating role.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
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The Sunnyvale detective said similar enterprises have involved multiple levels of operatives, with everyone getting paid different amounts.—
Megan Cassidy,
San Francisco Chronicle,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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
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When 59% of California voters have a concern about the cost of providing public benefits to an unlimited number of people residing in the country unlawfully, that’s an apparition that will roam the earth.—
Susan Shelley,
Oc Register,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Bossche says the encounter with the rattler hasn't scared her off the trails for good.—
Jasmine Viel,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
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The outlet reported that, in the other scenario, guides and hotel staff, according to the CIB probe, have been coached to scare trekkers at high altitude, where altitude sickness can occur.—
Alex Nitzberg,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Body-camera footage shows him being placed in handcuffs, while agents searched his FedEx truck for some sign of Athena.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2026
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Dashcam video captured the moments Tuesday morning when Hernandez tried to pull away from agents who were attempting to arrest him as ICE said he is wanted for questioning in El Salvador in connection with a murder.—
Nina Burns,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Ancient Mayans later believed cenotes were sacred portals to the underworld, where gods and spirits dwelled.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Apr. 2026
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By the 1980s, the mob had slowed, but some say the spirit of the mafia never left Gaetano's basement.—
Kennedy Cook,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spook. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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