as in frightened
filled with fear or dread
Ichabod Crane was so spooked that he left Sleepy Hollow for good
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in scared
to strike with fear
the sudden noise spooked her out of her skin
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 spooked
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 27 Dec. 2024
The points deductions given to Everton and Nottingham Forest last season seem to have also spooked clubs into being extra cautious around PSR.
—Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024
Some comments under the video show viewers spooked by the scene, weighing in on whether the leg movement was a result of some kind of paranormal intervention or not.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
This post was originally published on December 20 Bitcoin has fallen sharply, dropping along with stock markets after the Federal Reserve warned inflation remained sticky and BlackRock spooked the market.
—Billy Bambrough, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
Bitcoin has fallen sharply, dropping along with stock markets after the Federal Reserve warned inflation remained sticky and BlackRock spooked the market.
—Billy Bambrough, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
But he’s also promised to shake up the country’s food and drug industries, promoting healthy lifestyles and disrupting corporate forces driving obesity, addiction and other illnesses — a platform that has broad political appeal but has spooked markets.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 20 Dec. 2024
Centrist politicians across Europe have toughened their migration policies in recent months, spooked by the electoral success of charismatic right-wing and anti-migrant leaders.
—Rob Picheta, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024
But the deer had spooked (likely from the sound of the ATV, Laleman thinks).
—Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 4 Dec. 2024
Verb
Thus, there’s little sense in getting spooked in the pre-Christmas months; when ad rates are negligible, the cost of doling out any necessary audience deficiency units isn’t exactly going to break the bank.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 27 Dec. 2024
The points deductions given to Everton and Nottingham Forest last season seem to have also spooked clubs into being extra cautious around PSR.
—Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024
Some comments under the video show viewers spooked by the scene, weighing in on whether the leg movement was a result of some kind of paranormal intervention or not.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
This post was originally published on December 20 Bitcoin has fallen sharply, dropping along with stock markets after the Federal Reserve warned inflation remained sticky and BlackRock spooked the market.
—Billy Bambrough, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
Bitcoin has fallen sharply, dropping along with stock markets after the Federal Reserve warned inflation remained sticky and BlackRock spooked the market.
—Billy Bambrough, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
But he’s also promised to shake up the country’s food and drug industries, promoting healthy lifestyles and disrupting corporate forces driving obesity, addiction and other illnesses — a platform that has broad political appeal but has spooked markets.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 20 Dec. 2024
Centrist politicians across Europe have toughened their migration policies in recent months, spooked by the electoral success of charismatic right-wing and anti-migrant leaders.
—Rob Picheta, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024
But the deer had spooked (likely from the sound of the ATV, Laleman thinks).
—Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 4 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spooked
Adjective
-
Why do so many people love to be frightened and unnerved?—
Jeremy Engle,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2025
-
But can dogs actually be frightened of heights like some humans?—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Ingram had to miss the final 19 games of the regular season, but the Pelicans weren’t scared away by the issue.—
Shane Young,
Forbes,
21 Feb. 2025
-
The Europeans seem presently more hurt than scared.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The movie sees the revival of arch-villain Feathers McGraw, who terrified kids in 1993’s The Wrong Trousers.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
23 Dec. 2024
-
My Hugo would chase it and bark at it, or he'd be terrified.—
Benedict Cosgrove,
Newsweek,
20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Moving safely from the clouds to this perch required a steep angle, a dexterous pilot, and passengers more afraid of missing the film festival than of death upon impact.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2025
-
That’s what happens often with folks who are afraid to take that step, to start something new or scary.—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Experts are alarmed that the cuts could leave the United States defenseless against covert foreign influence operations and embolden foreign adversaries seeking to disrupt democratic governments.—
Steven Lee Myers,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2025
-
According to execs speaking to the paper, Williams had to be reminded several times that her show had been canceled. July 2022: Fans are dismayed and a little alarmed to discover that The Wendy Williams Show appears to have been removed from YouTube and Instagram, per Entertainment Weekly.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
One coach recalled noting down some of the insults players were dishing out to themselves mid-practice match, before sharing them with the shocked individuals once the session was over.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
The Athletic,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Only Murders in the Building Wins Comedy Ensemble SAG — Without Martin Short and Steve Martin! 10 hr 22 min ago A shocked Selena Gomez accepted the comedy ensemble award for Only Murders in the Building during the 2025 SAG Awards, taking the stage with some of her season 4 costars.—
Lindsay Kimble,
People.com,
24 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spooked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spooked. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share