the specter of (something)
idiom
: a notion or fear of something bad that might happen in the future
a nation alarmed/haunted by the specter of famine/war
News of the disease raised the specter of a possible plague.
Examples of the specter of (something) in a Sentence
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The 855 members of the Six Triple Eight ultimately accomplished their daunting six-month task in just three months, much to the surprise and resentment of Army leaders who weren’t keen about Black leadership, or the specter of desegregation, in the armed forces.
—
Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 6 Dec. 2024
Some analysts think the president-elect is likely using the specter of tariffs as a way to wring concessions from other countries, noting that his administration will be eager to avoid setting off another round of inflation just as U.S. prices are growing at a normal level.
—Kate Gibson, CBS News, 27 Nov. 2024
What once looked like a leisurely stroll to a division title now has the specter of collapse around it.
—Josh Kendall, The Athletic, 21 Nov. 2024
Georgian Dream has used the specter of being dragged into the Ukraine war to controversial effect in its campaign material.
—David Hodari, NBC News, 26 Oct. 2024
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Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 6 Dec. 2024
Some analysts think the president-elect is likely using the specter of tariffs as a way to wring concessions from other countries, noting that his administration will be eager to avoid setting off another round of inflation just as U.S. prices are growing at a normal level.
—Kate Gibson, CBS News, 27 Nov. 2024
What once looked like a leisurely stroll to a division title now has the specter of collapse around it.
—Josh Kendall, The Athletic, 21 Nov. 2024
Georgian Dream has used the specter of being dragged into the Ukraine war to controversial effect in its campaign material.
—David Hodari, NBC News, 26 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for the specter of (something)
Dictionary Entries Near the specter of (something)
Cite this Entry
“The specter of (something).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20specter%20of%20%28something%29. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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