Synonyms of spooking

spooking

verb

present participle of spook

as in scaring

to strike with fear

the sudden noise spooked her out of her skin

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scaring
• frightening
• terrifying
• startling
• terrorizing
• panicking
• shaking
• shocking
• horrifying
• alarming
• scarifying
• frighting
• affrighting
• distracting
• worrying
• appalling
• amazing
• giving one the creeps
• making one's flesh creep
• jolting
• shaking up
• disturbing
• unnerving
• unsettling
• dismaying
• upsetting
• awing
• astounding
• distressing
• bowling over
• disconcerting
• daunting
• perturbing
• emasculating
• disquieting
• discomforting
• dispiriting
• demoralizing
• chilling
• psyching (out)
• undoing
• flooring
• discomposing
• unmanning
• unstringing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reassuring
• assuring
• cheering
• comforting
• consoling
• soothing
• encouraging
• inspiring
• solacing
• emboldening
• steeling
• heartening

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of spooking

What followed were several nerve-racking minutes of trying to get into position for a shot without spooking the deer. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026

However, keeping rates steady could rock the bond market, sending the Treasury rates that influence mortgages dramatically higher and spooking the stock market. — Matt Stiles, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2026

Sometimes, a machine in the factory would be seen moving on its own, controlled remotely by someone in Turkey, spooking workers in the Texas factory. — ProPublica, 26 Aug. 2026

At the same time, China’s auto industry is spooking established automakers in North America, Europe and Asia, according to AlixPartners. — Bill Koenig, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

Soon, representatives of the security services began spooking entrepreneurs with public attacks, interrogations, and arrests. — Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026

Gordon was wary of overstaying his welcome, or of spooking Toek Tik by getting too specific about his aims. — Matthew Campbell, Bloomberg, 22 May 2026

Use line in the two- to four-pound class to avoid spooking extremely wary fish and to permit the minnows swimming freedom. — John Phillips, Outdoor Life, 14 May 2026

Many other businesses considered similar moves, spooking the state's lawmakers, as Delaware, despite being a heavily Democratic state, has long been viewed as a haven for business. — Garrett Downs, CNBC, 1 May 2026