1
as in spy
a person who tries secretly to obtain information for one country in the territory of another usually unfriendly country
Russia recalled its spooks after the collapse of the Soviet Union
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in ghost
the soul of a dead person thought of especially as appearing to living people
Halloween is the night when spooks and goblins are said to roam abroad
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to frighten
to strike with fear
the sudden noise spooked her out of her skin
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 spook
Eliana Dockterman, Time, 30 Apr. 2025
Technology The Big Story Potential chip tariffs spook tech industry
President Trump’s threats to tariff semiconductors are stoking alarm within the tech sector as companies brace for ripple effects across the industry.
—Julia Shapero, The Hill, 18 Apr. 2025
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 May 2025
The tariffs have spooked investors and unsettled the economy.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for spook
Noun
The ragtag group joins together under the watchful eye of Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), a morally flexible private-sector spook who has been named the head of the CIA in the new film.
—Eliana Dockterman, Time, 30 Apr. 2025
Technology The Big Story Potential chip tariffs spook tech industry
President Trump’s threats to tariff semiconductors are stoking alarm within the tech sector as companies brace for ripple effects across the industry.
—Julia Shapero, The Hill, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
That was the verdict of Paramount UK boss Sarah Rose on Donald Trump and Jon Voight’s controversial film and TV tariff plans currently spooking the sector.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 May 2025
The tariffs have spooked investors and unsettled the economy.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for spook
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spook
Noun
-
North Korea has repeatedly failed to launch military spy satellites.—
Choe Sang-Hun,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
-
This was a real group of spies that pretended to be Southern and infiltrated the South and became friends and colleagues.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 May 2025
Noun
-
Instead, his presence is more like a ghost (literally at times), and a wedge between these two sisters.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
30 May 2025
-
Nicole Ari Parker in And Just Like That Season 3 Craig Blankenhorn—Max Carrie’s ghosts must have stayed behind at the old apartment.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
28 May 2025
Verb
-
On May 18, Palmer and the cast attended the Shadyside High Senior Prom ’88 experience as guests explored versions of the gymnasium, lockers, girls’ bathroom and more locations designed to frighten fans.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
23 May 2025
-
What to know The Astra channel said that Tokarev, head of the military medical commission of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Sevastopol, got frightened during an air raid alarm overnight on May 1 sparked by a Ukrainian drone barrage.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
Noun
-
Ashman, a 23-year-old water operative from Stafford, was one of two suspects questioned about the incident.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
3 June 2025
-
Senior Hamas operatives with British citizenship have established charitable foundations that raise millions of pounds annually, some of which ends up in the hands of the group’s military wing.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2025
Noun
-
The series, originally from Monumental Television for the BBC in the UK, follows a young couple inherit a huge castle, only to find one of them can communicate with the various apparitions from history who already live there.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
3 June 2025
-
The listing appeared suddenly, like an apparition from the era when Yoshi’s reigned as the Bay Area’s premiere jazz venue.—
Andrew Gilbert,
Mercury News,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Commissioners debate impact fees Several commissioners expressed concerns that a sharp hike in impact fees could scare away businesses from building in Manatee County, from day care centers to manufacturing.—
Ryan Ballogg,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2025
-
Apparently, the card's $5 million price tag is not scaring off the jet-setters looking to make the U.S. home.—
Tovia Smith,
NPR,
2 June 2025
Noun
-
These agents learn from interactions, adapting responses for a more human-like experience, reducing wait times and ensuring consistent service quality. CNN reports that tech companies are introducing early AI agent offerings.—
Pradeep Kumar Muthukamatchi,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
-
The writer’s death on June 3 was confirmed by his husband, Michael Carroll, and agent Bill Clegg, The New York Times, The Guardian and NBC News report.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
Garrett, Allegany and Washington counties are now symbols of neglect, where economic despair has replaced the industrious and seemingly indomitable spirit that had once defined them.—
Daniel A.C. McBride,
Baltimore Sun,
1 June 2025
-
Vodka enthusiasts looking for a high-quality spirit that also supports LGBTQ+ causes.—
Lela London,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spook. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share