as in haunting
of, relating to, or suggestive of a ghost
They spotted a spectral figure in the window of the old abandoned house.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of spectral
In many cases, physicists can calculate the spectral gap for a specific atom or material.
—
Charlie Wood, Wired News, 6 Apr. 2025
And by scouring the planets’ atmospheres, astrobiologists hoped to search for the spectral fingerprints of life.
—Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 12 Mar. 2025
The ever-growing pool of EO data lacks consistency in spectral reflectance, which in turn creates major issues for data scientists.
—Elizabeth Duffy, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Limited Spectral Diversity: Many current EO datasets lack the spectral diversity needed for nuanced insights, which reduces AI’s ability to detect subtle variations in land use, vegetation health and environmental changes.
—Elizabeth Duffy, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spectral
Charlie Wood, Wired News, 6 Apr. 2025
And by scouring the planets’ atmospheres, astrobiologists hoped to search for the spectral fingerprints of life.
—Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 12 Mar. 2025
The ever-growing pool of EO data lacks consistency in spectral reflectance, which in turn creates major issues for data scientists.
—Elizabeth Duffy, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Limited Spectral Diversity: Many current EO datasets lack the spectral diversity needed for nuanced insights, which reduces AI’s ability to detect subtle variations in land use, vegetation health and environmental changes.
—Elizabeth Duffy, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spectral
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spectral
Adjective
-
This is a haunting, unpredictable novel that’s hard to shake after reading.—
Vulture Editors,
Vulture,
1 Apr. 2025
-
With a limited color palette and very spare design, the show subverts the commonplace elements of an office and invents a haunting visual language all its own that creeps you out while drawing you in.—
Charlotte Collins,
Architectural Digest,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Disappearing from the table, my father returned with that eerie icon of the naked woman.—
Eliza Griswold,
New Yorker,
19 Apr. 2025
-
But despite its new role, the eerie stories remain.—
Josh Rivera,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Paul Henreid’s Dead Ringer is a creepy exploration of how identical twins survive without each other.—
Barry Levitt,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
-
There’s a terrifically creepy scene in which the vampires, led by O’Connell’s fiery-eyed Remmick, go into an Irish step dance (at this point there are Black vampires who’ve been bitten and are part of the cult), and the message is: Give up your freedom and join us!—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Critics argued that Angel was essentially goosing its own box office receipts by persuading a passionate fan base to bankroll phantom tickets: enamored zealots shelling out for empty seats.—
Calum Marsh,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
-
But, somehow, life finds a way: The seafloor was crawling with critters of all shapes and sizes, from centuries-old sponges and cup corals to octopuses, snails, worms, sea spiders, icefish and even a rare giant phantom jellyfish.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Like the ghostly hulk of the Titanic below the surface of the sea, Northbrook Court is a quiet and cavernous relic — at the bottom of the retail food chain.—
David Petitti,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Now, that’s nearly gone, showing only a ghostly impression against the freckles on his skin.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
So those [neoclassical] artists are to me, in a very weird sense, the very earliest photographers—except their medium was oil on canvas.—
Mark Holgate,
Vogue,
15 Apr. 2025
-
The first sign of Mom Fatigue is leaving weird stuff in the fridge.—
Olga Khazan,
The Atlantic,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
What’s interesting is supernatural activity spiked after the first nuclear reactors (assembled in Hyde Park) were buried in Red Gate Woods nearby.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
-
This psychological drama examines the aftermath of a boarding school suicide, with two students uncovering hidden truths through a supernatural possession element.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spectral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spectral. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share