as in frightened
filled with fear or dread
Ichabod Crane was so spooked that he left Sleepy Hollow for good
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in scared
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 spooked
Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
The wildlife never showed because the talking spooked everything.
—Barbara Baird, Outdoor Life, 7 Jan. 2026
However, the crypto market struggled at the end of the year as recent sell-offs spooked some investors.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 31 Dec. 2025
September While Jimmy Kimmel was briefly taken off air by ABC in a real-world, dismay-inducing free speech row, the business was equally spooked by an artificial intelligence creation.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 Dec. 2025
In addition, surging lease obligations have spooked Wall Street.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 19 Dec. 2025
That said, investors could have just been jittery amid the narrative of an apparent AI bubble, and were spooked by any sign of bad news.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 15 Dec. 2025
But the tariffs spooked American businesses, prompting a court challenge, contending that the president had exceeded his authority in imposing the tariffs.
—Nina Totenberg, NPR, 5 Nov. 2025
Guzel allegedly had planned to travel in two weeks to Turkey and onward to Syria from there, but it's believed he got spooked after last week's arrests and moved his flight up, sources said.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
The suspect got spooked by the resident and fled.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
The wildlife never showed because the talking spooked everything.
—Barbara Baird, Outdoor Life, 7 Jan. 2026
However, the crypto market struggled at the end of the year as recent sell-offs spooked some investors.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 31 Dec. 2025
September While Jimmy Kimmel was briefly taken off air by ABC in a real-world, dismay-inducing free speech row, the business was equally spooked by an artificial intelligence creation.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 Dec. 2025
In addition, surging lease obligations have spooked Wall Street.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 19 Dec. 2025
That said, investors could have just been jittery amid the narrative of an apparent AI bubble, and were spooked by any sign of bad news.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 15 Dec. 2025
But the tariffs spooked American businesses, prompting a court challenge, contending that the president had exceeded his authority in imposing the tariffs.
—Nina Totenberg, NPR, 5 Nov. 2025
Guzel allegedly had planned to travel in two weeks to Turkey and onward to Syria from there, but it's believed he got spooked after last week's arrests and moved his flight up, sources said.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spooked
Adjective
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Nearly a week later, Scott and Kodi Allred, a couple traveling to visit their son at the University of Northern Colorado, saw the frightened black dachshund darting along the same stretch of road near Elk Mountain.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Sometimes, a frightened reaction is inexplicable.—
The Atlantic Culture Desk,
The Atlantic,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
What really scared me was telling my audience.—
SELF Staff,
SELF,
9 Jan. 2026
-
That caption scared me for a minute.—
Stacy Lambe,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Understandably terrified, Scott-Miller closed the store to protect her and her family’s safety and peace of mind.—
Essence,
Essence,
7 Jan. 2026
-
When workers are terrified, turnover rises, productivity falls and long-term investment stalls.—
Anabel Mendoza,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Authorities in southern Colorado are investigating after a sudden explosion damaged a building and startled nearby residents.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Leibfried was responding to a report of a domestic disturbance in the building and was startled by a loud bang that emanated from the closed door of an apartment.—
Peter Passi,
Twin Cities,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The opposition ranged from clinical and code-based to angry and afraid.—
Mark Dee,
Idaho Statesman,
6 Jan. 2026
-
From animal prints to floral patterns and everything in between, don’t be afraid to let loose and have fun with patterns in your space.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Yang plays Kieran Culkin’s stand-in, his arms nightmarishly chainsawed off as Ashley Padilla’s Catherine O’Hara equivalent lets out a series of horrified shrieks.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
20 Dec. 2025
-
Then her old, extremely offensive X posts resurfaced—and the buzz turned to horrified backlash.—
Alex Apatoff,
PEOPLE,
8 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Experts are especially alarmed that the CDC is investigating splitting up the MMR vaccine, which protects kids against measles, mumps and rubella in one shot.—
NPR,
NPR,
7 Nov. 2025
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Phil, Myrtle’s son, who lived out of state, became alarmed when a concerned neighbor later notified him that his mother had vanished.—
David Chiu,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The mom of two could be seen typing and looking animatedly at her screen, appearing shocked.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Fans on social media are mostly excited (and a little shocked) at this latest bakery item.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spooked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spooked. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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