Synonyms

specter

American

[spek-ter] / ˈspɛk tər /

especially British, spectre

noun

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

Synonyms:

shade
some object or source of terror or dread.

the specter of disease or famine.

Related Words

See ghost.

Etymology

Origin of specter

First recorded 1595–1605; from Latin spectrum “appearance, form”; spectrum

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.

They are hoping the specter of Big Brother will improve compliance with existing policies.

From The Wall Street Journal

Lower rates, coupled with the specter of more cuts, means stocks and options have bullish winds at their backs.

From Barron's

The specter of a U.S. military attack seemed unfathomable to many Colombians processing the news Wednesday.

From Los Angeles Times

Buffer funds have grown in popularity in the past several years amid investor angst about market volatility and the specter of a longer downturn.

From The Wall Street Journal

AI innovation raises the specter of superintelligent machines like those in science fiction.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023