specter

[ spek-ter ]

/ ˈspɛk tər /

a visible incorporeal spirit, especially one of a terrifying nature; ghost; phantom; apparition.

some object or source of terror or dread: the specter of disease or famine.

Nearby words

Also especially British, spec·tre.

1595–1605; < Latin spectrum; see spectrum

SYNONYMS FOR specter

Despite his efforts to live in the present, he seemed haunted by the specter of his father.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The specter of wrongful convictions haunts the public officials involved.
The Myth of the Central Park Five|Edward Conlon|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The specter of this virus fills some of our most stalwart souls with unreasoning dread even when it is no immediate threat.
Ebola Nurses Are As Brave As Soldiers|Michael Daly|October 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If 80,000 is the population of Danbury, 60 million is the population of California and Texas combined: no small specter, that.
Kailash Satyarthi, Malala's Nobel Peace Prize Co-Winner, Is Fighting India's Child Slavery Epidemic|Dilip D’Souza|October 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Most embarrassing of all is the specter of people asking in the name of religion for permission to discriminate.
A Victory for ‘Religious Freedom’ is a Loss for Religion|Gene Robinson|June 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Instead he and his father chatted as they packed quite as pleasantly as if no specter stood between them.
Steve and the Steam Engine|Sara Ware Bassett
But the clean-up slogan was not able alone to conquer the specter of disease.
Heroes of To-Day|Mary R. Parkman
If you had shot that specter the other night there would have been the deuce to pay.
The Postmaster's Daughter|Louis Tracy
He saw in fancy the specter of starvation looming, hungrily stretching out its gaunt arms, clutching at his two helpless infants.
The Twins of Suffering Creek|Ridgwell Cullum
This was not noticed at the time of this examination, Mr. Specter.
Warren Commission (4 of 26): Hearings Vol. IV (of 15)|The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy

c.1600, from French spectre "an image, figure, ghost" (16c.), from Latin spectrum "appearance, vision, apparition" (see spectrum).