haunt
verb (used with object)
to visit habitually or appear to frequently as a spirit or ghost.
have haunted
-
present perfectof haunt.present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Judges’ worries about breaking up companies have haunted the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission since antitrust enforcers escalated a legal campaign six years ago to crack down on big tech firms.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026
Over the last year, the graffiti-pocked husk of the unfinished Oceanwide Plaza skyscrapers have haunted Los Angeles’ skyline, a beacon of disrepair and, for some, artistic expression.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2024
Richard Strauss’s criteria for the ideal interpreter of his opera “Salome” have haunted the piece for the better part of a century: a “16-year-old princess with the voice of Isolde.”
From New York Times ● May 16, 2024
For the last decade, two words have haunted Li Eryou - lost contact.
From BBC ● Mar. 7, 2024
“Two stories have haunted us and followed us from our beginning,” Samuel said.
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
