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
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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
Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 4 May 2025
The ragtag group joins together under the watchful eye of Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), a morally flexible private-sector spook who has been named the head of the CIA in the new film.
—Eliana Dockterman, Time, 30 Apr. 2025
Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 25 June 2025
In the last three months alone, a man mowing his property died after a bee attack, three people were taken to the hospital after tree trimmers disturbed a colony, hikers ran a mile to get away from an agitated hive and a woman and three horses were swarmed by bees spooked by a lawn mower.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for spook
Noun
Come Season 2, Colter and Russell were confronted by a government spook who knew an awful lot about Dad.
—Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 4 May 2025
The ragtag group joins together under the watchful eye of Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), a morally flexible private-sector spook who has been named the head of the CIA in the new film.
—Eliana Dockterman, Time, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
Morgan Stanley and Jefferies analysts also said withholding guidance spooked Wall Street.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 25 June 2025
In the last three months alone, a man mowing his property died after a bee attack, three people were taken to the hospital after tree trimmers disturbed a colony, hikers ran a mile to get away from an agitated hive and a woman and three horses were swarmed by bees spooked by a lawn mower.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for spook
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spook
Noun
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Her group of spies, scouts, and other freedom fighters piloted three Union steamboats snaking up the lower Combahee River with Colonel James Montgomery of the Second South Carolina Volunteers and one battery of the Third Rhode Island Artillery.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
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James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli, who surprised the film world and 007 fans by stepping away from the franchise earlier this year, has endorsed the choice of Denis Villeneuve as director for the next instalment of the spy thriller.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
17 July 2025
Noun
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In the present, Belly whips the bracelet Jere brought her back from Cabo across the room and shuffles around campus like a ghost, seeing visions of him everywhere.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
16 July 2025
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Also, the fact that Ken gets cursed by a crazy old ghost actually helps Momo in her alien abduction predicament, with Momo’s newfound spiritual abilities helping to curb Ken’s curse.—
Ollie Barder,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
Verb
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Stink bugs tend to drop when frightened, so fill a cup with soapy water and hold it under the stink bug.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
19 July 2025
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What starts as a simple favor to keep her great-niece turns into a wild Halloween night filled with jump scares and pranks — but as usual, nothing frightens her more than bad manners and disrespect. Boo 2!—
Jane LaCroix,
People.com,
13 July 2025
Noun
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Indeed, Jared Fleisher, one of Gilbert's top operatives, gave mayoral candidate Fred Durhal III's campaign $2,000.—
M.L. Elrick,
Freep.com,
23 July 2025
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Neither a complacent, neutered Congress nor a Supreme Court controlled by lifelong GOP partisan operatives appear willing or able to stop it.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 July 2025
Noun
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If the humor clicks with you, there’s joy to be had in accidentally setting yourself on fire over and over again while being chased by a Slenderman-like apparition made of Post-Its.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
19 June 2025
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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
Verb
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The combination of a floodlight and a camera is a great way to scare off intruders and get better quality footage at night.—
Simon Hill,
Wired News,
11 July 2025
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Simply pull the pin, and the device will emit a blaring siren sound in combination with a strobe light that will draw attention to your situation and scare away would-be threats.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
10 July 2025
Noun
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Record company executives, agents, producers and bookers dominate the panel discussions.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
23 July 2025
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Flood insurance is available through your company, agent, or the National Flood Insurance Program.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
22 July 2025
Noun
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Each meal service is also accompanied by a variety of premium wine and spirits as well as soft drinks.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
20 July 2025
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Nearby is also Saint Paul Mountain Farms, an orchard and vineyard producing local wines, hard ciders and spirits.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
20 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spook. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.
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