spooky

adjective

ˈspü-kē How to pronounce spooky (audio)
Definition of spookynext
1
as in excitable
easily excited by nature a spooky horse shying at shadows

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in eerie
fearfully and mysteriously strange or fantastic a spooky tale of strange hauntings and mysterious reincarnations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of spooky Unfortunately, there are too many good films coming out this month to only make time for horror during the spookiest season of the year, and the Netflix library makes things particularly difficult. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2026 Note the Saturday daytime fest hours are more kid-friendly, with spookier fun unfolding at dusk. — Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026 The 20th century in particular abounded in such visions, some of which—The Handmaid’s Tale, or Brave New World, published in 1932 and getting spookier every day—have proved more prophetic than others. — Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026 Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Lydia Deetz and the Deetz family offer a slightly spookier option for families looking beyond traditional matching costumes. — ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spooky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spooky
  1. excitable
  2. eerie
  3. nervous
  4. haunting
  5. creepy
Adjective
  • Kalind, the younger brother of a bonobo named Kevin, was the more excitable and playful of the two.
    — J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Hailing from San Antonio, Texas, Deanna is a proud mother of three and an excitable introvert.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of excitable
Adjective
  • Graveyards, which would seem haunted by definition, are popular destinations, and a few in the state are legendary for their eerie atmospheres and ghost sightings.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026
  • See 15 inflatables and eight animatronics lining the lawn, creating a scene that’s both eerie and whimsical to delights neighbors.
    — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of eerie
Adjective
  • Since the incident, the flamingo has been doing all right physically but is more anxious and nervous when being evaluated, said Peachy’s veterinarian, Tiffany Moore, medical director of Lone Mountain Animal Hospital.
    — Jessica Hill, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
  • As the military-style helicopter hovered above them, attendees from the rural, predominantly Latino community, began to get nervous.
    — Philip Wang, Time, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of nervous
Adjective
  • What unfolds is a heartbreaking, at times haunting story about a little boy who strove to become a legend, and the woman who understood his manic, at times reckless drive.
    — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026
  • For decades, the 1934 photograph of the Loch Ness Monster was a haunting image of a lost world.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of haunting
Adjective
  • Palmer doesn’t appear until the last 15 minutes, but her creepy performance is indelible.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
  • As her son Rauri, Murphy plays a creepy, brooding university dropout whom audiences also can’t help sympathize with.
    — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of creepy

Browse Nearby Words

spooks
spooky
spoon
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Cite this Entry

“Spooky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spooky. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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