Synonyms of spook

spook 1 of 2

noun

ˈspük 

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

• spy
• operative
• agent
• mole
• undercover
• undercover agent
• secret agent
• asset
• emissary
• informer
• intelligencer
• sleeper
• courier
• double agent
• counterspy
• stool pigeon
• infiltrator
• spymaster
• superspy

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

• ghost
• apparition
• spirit
• haunt
• phantom
• specter
• poltergeist
• wraith
• vampire
• shadow
• phantasm
• zombie
• demon
• bogey
• visitant
• vision
• sprite
• materialization
• familiar spirit
• hant
• angel
• ghoul
• familiar
• shade
• double
• fetch
• daimon
• genie
• doppelgänger
• genius
• incubus
• shaitan
• imp
• manes
• devil
• succubus
• jinni
• lemures
• lamia
• cacodemon
• fiend

spook

2 of 2

verb

as in to frighten

to strike with fear

the sudden noise spooked her out of her skin

Synonyms & Similar Words

• frighten
• scare
• terrify
• startle
• terrorize
• fright
• panic
• horrify
• shock
• shake
• alarm
• scarify
• affright
• worry
• distract
• give one the creeps
• amaze
• appall
• make one's flesh creep
• shake up
• disturb
• jolt
• unnerve
• astound
• unsettle
• awe
• daunt
• dismay
• distress
• dispirit
• disconcert
• emasculate
• bowl over
• floor
• perturb
• discomfort
• upset
• disquiet
• psych (out)
• demoralize
• unman
• chill
• discompose
• unstring
• undo

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reassure
• assure
• cheer
• comfort
• soothe
• encourage
• console
• steel
• inspire
• solace
• embolden
• hearten

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of spook

Noun

Spies are back, at least according to rising star Agnes O’Casey, who is playing four agent roles this year and who unsurprisingly has some thoughts about the most famous spook of all. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2026

The market got a spook earlier this year because private credit funds have lent heavily to the software industry — under threat from AI — and many investors sought to cash out funds. — J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 15 Apr. 2026

Verb

This helps hunters spook fewer deer and see target bucks during daylight hours. — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 1 Nov. 2026

In the same spirit, Greek and Roman farmers created wooden effigies, often painted red, to spook unwanted visitors from their orchards and vineyards. — Victoria Hoffmann, Christian Science Monitor, 31 Oct. 2026