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
Recent Examples on the Web
Carr’s remarks raise the specter of the FCC probing the Big Four broadcast networks’ business relationship with their affiliate stations throughout the country.
—
Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 27 Feb. 2025
This is understandable; no one wants to be prosecuted or labor under the specter of prosecution.
—Richard Nephew, Foreign Affairs, 24 Feb. 2025
The action of The Boys from Brazil took place in the ’70s, but the specter of Hitler and antisemitism still looms large, even with Kanye West paying for a Super Bowl ad on Sunday that pointed viewers to a website selling swastika shirts.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 12 Feb. 2025
Matt Cardy | Getty Images News | Getty Images
As the specter of Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs looms, several Asian economies that enjoy substantial trade surpluses with Washington are scrambling to negotiate favorable solutions with the U.S president to prevent being slapped with higher duties.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the specter of (something)
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Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 27 Feb. 2025
This is understandable; no one wants to be prosecuted or labor under the specter of prosecution.
—Richard Nephew, Foreign Affairs, 24 Feb. 2025
The action of The Boys from Brazil took place in the ’70s, but the specter of Hitler and antisemitism still looms large, even with Kanye West paying for a Super Bowl ad on Sunday that pointed viewers to a website selling swastika shirts.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 12 Feb. 2025
Matt Cardy | Getty Images News | Getty Images
As the specter of Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs looms, several Asian economies that enjoy substantial trade surpluses with Washington are scrambling to negotiate favorable solutions with the U.S president to prevent being slapped with higher duties.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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 25 Mar. 2025.
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