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
Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
Souring sentiment toward the vehicles’ non-traded peers, which have been hit with more than $15 billion in redemption requests from investors, also spooked public market shareholders, creating a buying opportunity for some investors.
—Olivia Fishlow, Bloomberg, 25 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
The couple tries not to spook hope away with too big of a reality check.
—Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
Souring sentiment toward the vehicles’ non-traded peers, which have been hit with more than $15 billion in redemption requests from investors, also spooked public market shareholders, creating a buying opportunity for some investors.
—Olivia Fishlow, Bloomberg, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spook
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spook
Noun
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Marrakchi, who has also directed episodes of such TV series as French spy thriller The Bureau and Damien Chazelle’s The Eddy, returns to Cannes’ Un Certain Regard program, where her 2005 feature debut Marock, about a Muslim-Jewish romance in Casablanca, also premiered.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
-
Cuban officials later confirmed the spy director's visit in an official statement.—
Nick Penzenstadler,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
Noun
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The big hits came from pinch-hitter Troy Johnston, who hit a double to right to score ghost runner Willi Castro, and Jake McCarthy, who drove in Johnston with a single to center.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
9 May 2026
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And what about Ctenocheloides attenboroughi, a living species of ghost shrimp less than an inch long?—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
Verb
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The Lord in your convent frightened me, Jesus with his bloody palms and gaping mouth, eyes rolled back in terror.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 May 2026
-
How To Keep Skunks Away From Your Yard There are no effective repellants or devices that frighten skunks away.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Once a loyal Republican and McCain campaign operative, her transformation to anti-Trump voice was spurred by personal experiences that have shaped her point of view.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
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An Associated Press investigation into Rocha found several red flags overlooked along the way, including a warning that one longtime CIA operative received nearly two decades ago that Rocha was working as a double agent.—
JOSHUA GOODMAN,
Arkansas Online,
10 May 2026
Noun
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The peak of Mercury's apparition (for latitude 40 degrees north) and its greatest elongation from the sun don't occur until the middle of June.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
2 May 2026
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The museum site has been a paranormal hotbed for decades, with sightings of apparitions, security camera footage capturing items flying off shelves, as well as experiences from staff members and visitors.—
Gregory Harutunian,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Shopping malls across Southern California have also struggled to bring sales back as immigration raids continue to scare customers away.—
Itzel Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
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Don’t let the threat of more rain scare you away from checking out what’s going on around Kansas City.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
7 May 2026
Noun
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The debate also reflected the broader political moment, with several candidates positioning themselves either as defenders of California’s current direction or as agents of course correction on public safety, cost of living, and trust in government.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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Though many people come to far West Texas for its isolation—the Unabomber’s slightly less reclusive brother did a stint here in the eighties, living at first in a crude underground shelter—Miller said that immigration-enforcement agents have been an intrusive presence for many years.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
Noun
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Barker’s other heroes include Nathan Fielder and Tim Robinson, comics whose work contains an undeniable dark streak, and who share his prankster’s spirit and high tolerance for unease.—
Alex Barasch,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
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Vitello said postgame that Koss’ helmet cracked as a result of the bean ball, but Koss was in good spirits after the game.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spook. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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