1
as in spy
a person who tries secretly to obtain information for one country in the territory of another usually unfriendly country
Russia recalled its spooks after the collapse of the Soviet Union
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in ghost
the soul of a dead person thought of especially as appearing to living people
Halloween is the night when spooks and goblins are said to roam abroad
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to frighten
to strike with fear
the sudden noise spooked her out of her skin
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of spook
Scott Feinblatt, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2024
Because of Aliens, the Xenomorphs would shift from horror spooks to formidable combatants, eventually facing off with Predators in crossover movies and even Batman in some comic books.
—Vikram Murthi, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2024
Nick Caruso, TVLine, 10 Oct. 2024
The idea is that the scent will get the buck to stop for a moment, but not get spooked.
—Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for spook 
Noun
And though midnight movie screenings are still enjoyed by niche audiences, spook shows have been all but completely relegated to history.
—Scott Feinblatt, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2024
Because of Aliens, the Xenomorphs would shift from horror spooks to formidable combatants, eventually facing off with Predators in crossover movies and even Batman in some comic books.
—Vikram Murthi, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2024
Verb
The horse got spooked and impaled itself on a fence.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 10 Oct. 2024
The idea is that the scent will get the buck to stop for a moment, but not get spooked.
—Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for spook
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spook
Noun
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Along the way, Abrahams and his childhood friends the Zucker brothers continued to twist parodic knives into unsuspecting genres, skewering the spy game with Top Secret!Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 26 Nov. 2024
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Most things, good and bad, come at a price, but because the hazards of intelligence and spy labor are typically wrapped in a thrilling bow, the mental toil of the job is rarely examined.Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 25 Nov. 2024
Noun
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In fact, channeling your rage and frustration into creative expression could be the most constructive way to repurpose those ghosts from your teenage diaries that have been woken from their slumber.Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Nov. 2024
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After 36 years, the return of the 1988 Halloween fan-favorite brought back the vindictively hilarious loverboy ghost, Beetlejuice, played by Michael Keaton; the gothic queen herself, Lydia Deetz, played by Winona Ryder; and Catherine O’Hara as Lydia’s stepmom Delia Deetz.Emiliana Betancourt, Variety, 25 Nov. 2024
Verb
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But Hanks does commendable supporting work as a nerdy FBI agent on Abagnale’s trail — essentially playing the sort of conventional square whose mediocre life frightens the restless, rootless Abagnale.Tim Grierson, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2024
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There is little evidence wolves frighten elk merely by their presence, the authors say.ByVirginia Morell, science.org, 23 Oct. 2024
Noun
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And why Republicans are throwing out all sorts of names for the governorship, two years in advance, including state Sen. Jake Hoffman, a vocal Hobbs foe, and Turning Point founder Charlie Kirk, a key Trump operative.Joanna Allhands, The Arizona Republic, 28 Nov. 2024
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According to the deck, the operatives attempted to mislead voters and paint the centrist group as Christo-nationalists and featured images of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaking on behalf of the group.Kelsey Walsh, ABC News, 27 Nov. 2024
Noun
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More than five million visited the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe near the site of her apparition in the days ahead of her feast day in 2023, according to estimates shared by the Associated Press.Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 12 Oct. 2024
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Marilyn Monroe’s apparition has been seen at the Roosevelt in Hollywood; Civil War soldiers have been spotted at the Marshall House in Savannah, Georgia.Brooke Bobb, Vogue, 5 Oct. 2024
Verb
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Vladimir Putin’s nuclear saber-rattling is scaring investors SURPRISING DISCOVERIES AI models watch TV just like people.Melvin Backman, Quartz, 20 Nov. 2024
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The record-high prices last year might have scared away some fans from attending, but the Las Vegas Grand Prix and hotels around the track have made some adjustments this year, hoping to bring out an even larger crowd.Sunny Tsai, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2024
Noun
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How to wear a knit scarf Now, a scarf can simply be practical, too—an agent to guard against the chill.Erika Veurink, Vogue, 30 Nov. 2024
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The Kingsman star plays Ethan Kopek, a young TSA agent whose routine day takes a dark and twisted turn when an unnamed traveler (played by Jason Bateman) blackmails Ethan into allowing a dangerous package onto a flight.Travis Bean, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Entitled All Lit Up!, the glowing LED installation stays true to the playful, celebratory spirit of Christmas by using light as a central medium to reimagine the traditional Christmas tree as a tall, twisting column.Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024
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Colonies founded by charters to private companies and peopled by restless dreamers gave us an entrepreneurial spirit from the outset.The Editors, National Review, 28 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near spook
Cite this Entry
“Spook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spook. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
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