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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of spooked
Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026
Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
He’s also spooked by the city’s looming budget deficit and the possibility of the state legislature slashing property taxes.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
Supporters of the measure include Lisa Baca of the Monteverde Ranch Equestrian Center in the northeast San Fernando Valley, who said horses are animals that can easily be spooked by facing moving e-bikes.
—Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
New York — Computer science and engineering students at the University of Washington, spooked about AI, returned from spring break last week to a surprising email from the department head.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
The war’s financial toll has spooked the president’s economic advisers, a fear that will grow if the war is prolonged.
—Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2026
The unprecedented leap at Sunshine Farm in Necedah, Wisconsin, last week was precipitated by some stray dogs that rushed the enclosure and spooked the 16-month-old Chesney, said his keeper, Debbie Marland.
—CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
At the same time, though, the excitement around AI infrastructure spending has waned, and now the market seems as spooked by it than enticed.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
At the same time, wealthy consumers could be spooked by volatile stock markets.
—Robert Frank, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
The Grammy Award-winning superstar took to Instagram to share her experience, which left her spooked and unable to sleep.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
There are some who will speculate that he got spooked by the mention of his existence.
—Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
He’s also spooked by the city’s looming budget deficit and the possibility of the state legislature slashing property taxes.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
Supporters of the measure include Lisa Baca of the Monteverde Ranch Equestrian Center in the northeast San Fernando Valley, who said horses are animals that can easily be spooked by facing moving e-bikes.
—Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
New York — Computer science and engineering students at the University of Washington, spooked about AI, returned from spring break last week to a surprising email from the department head.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
The war’s financial toll has spooked the president’s economic advisers, a fear that will grow if the war is prolonged.
—Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2026
The unprecedented leap at Sunshine Farm in Necedah, Wisconsin, last week was precipitated by some stray dogs that rushed the enclosure and spooked the 16-month-old Chesney, said his keeper, Debbie Marland.
—CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
At the same time, though, the excitement around AI infrastructure spending has waned, and now the market seems as spooked by it than enticed.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
At the same time, wealthy consumers could be spooked by volatile stock markets.
—Robert Frank, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spooked
Adjective
-
Soapy Water 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,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Their height and heft frightened and thrilled spectators, earning dinosaurs a permanent place in the public imagination, Coules said.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Three Grammy wins, a Men’s Health cover and 275 pounds later, the blood draw that scared him most turned out to be the decision that saved his life.—
Allison Palmer,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The coyote grabbed the boy and took him to the ground before a nearby adult rushed over and scared the animal away.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The pressures of fame and the pains of Michael’s brand of friendlessness are barely explored, beyond the requisite scenes of screaming fans crowding outside the family estate and a terrified Michael attempting to get away from them (while still politely waving).—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Meanwhile, Ashley takes some of the other women to her favorite beach, and Alicia, who is used to her country club, is terrified.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Horner dropped a package, McGuire said, and was startled by the team.—
Amelia Mugavero,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Littrell walked up to the man, who appeared to be startled by the singer's presence.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Maybe a lot of producers are Melissas, afraid of the present, looking toward a past that never really existed.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Miami is exceptionally good at finding role players , so don’t be afraid to trade a Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr, etc.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
As the scene was projected onto a screen, Jude seemed slightly horrified to see himself in front of the camera rather than behind it.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
This little bird was a horrified little lump that just kept falling over his feet.—
Emma Forgione,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
On the campaign trail, school board members and alarmed parents predicted marijuana would increasingly find its way into the hands of children and stoned drivers would cause more traffic collisions.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
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In the 1850s, company managers were alarmed to find out shipping workers were opening crates and marking P&G containers with stars to help coworkers who couldn’t read.—
Alexander Coolidge,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Or Scott Spiezio, whose three-run thunderbolt into the right field box seats in Game 6 of the World Series against San Francisco started the comeback from a 3-2 series deficit that led to those looks of shocked amazement among long-time Angels employees the next night.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
-
After one bite, Chris looked shocked.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spooked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spooked. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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