spectre

British  

/ ˈspɛktə /

noun

1. a ghost; phantom; apparition

2. a mental image of something unpleasant or menacing

   the spectre of redundancy

---

Etymology

Origin of spectre

C17: from Latin spectrum, from specere to look at

Example Sentences

The mood on the convention floor was noticeably more upbeat than a year ago, when the spectre of tariffs cast clouds over the event.

From The Wall Street Journal

This development has raised the spectre of disruptions to Iran’s oil supply, ANZ Research analysts say in a research report.

From The Wall Street Journal

Growth in India's IT back offices is slowing, stocks are underperforming, hiring has shrunk and wages have stagnated as the spectre of a new disruptor looms large.

From BBC

"Let whatever happens happen! And that's it!" she tells the BBC, adding that worrying about the spectre of war doesn't help much.

From BBC

While the spectre of Bale is inescapable with Wales, Johnson had another impossible act to follow at Spurs, joining in the same transfer window in which Harry Kane left for Bayern Munich.

From BBC