specter

noun

spec·​ter ˈspek-tər 

variants or spectre

1

: a visible disembodied spirit : ghost

2

: something that haunts or perturbs the mind : phantasm

the specter of hunger

Synonyms

• apparition
• bogey
• bogie
• bogy
• familiar spirit
• ghost
• hant [dialect]
• haunt [chiefly dialect]
• materialization
• phantasm
• fantasm
• phantom
• poltergeist
• shade
• shadow
• spirit
• spook
• sprite
• vision
• visitant
• wraith

Examples of specter in a Sentence

feeling so terrified that every shadow became a specter

Recent Examples on the Web

Sora and similar programs also raise the specter of disinformation campaigns. —Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 10 Dec. 2024

Are these psychosomatic symptoms, specters conjured by her miserable brain? —Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 6 Dec. 2024

While consumers are opening their wallets to shop, there is some question as to whether the sales gains retailers are reporting will continue through the holiday and into next year due to the specter of higher tariffs when President-elect Donald Trump gets back into the White House. —David Moin, WWD, 3 Dec. 2024

He’s enjoyed the specter of games in Buffalo, from unpredictable weather to a rabid fan base. —Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 30 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French spectre, from Latin spectrum appearance, specter, from specere to look, look at — more at spy

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing specter

• raised the specter of
• the specter of (something)

Kids Definition

specter

noun

spec·​ter

variants or spectre

ˈspek-tər 

1

: ghost

2

: something that bothers the mind