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

In Putin’s current calculus, the specter of a sovereign, self-reliant Ukraine poses a far graver threat to Russia than the more distant prospect of economic degradation. —Alexandra Prokopenko, Foreign Affairs, 21 Jan. 2025

The Michigan specter will return next November, and every year until Day vanquishes that one in particular. —Justin Williams, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025

But the specter of another US intervention has alarm bells sounding from a country that depends on both its namesake waterway and on good relations with Washington. —Patrick Oppmann, CNN, 20 Jan. 2025

More than two decades ago, the couple stood together on a beach in Grenada, not far from Union Island, watching the frigate-like specter emerge over distant swells. —Joe Sills, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025

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