haunting

1 of 3

noun

haunt·​ing ˈhȯn-tiŋ How to pronounce haunting (audio)
ˈhän-
plural hauntings
: an act of haunting
especially : visitation or inhabitation by a ghost
… its early history is replete with drama: duels, murders, shipwrecks, … even ghostly hauntings. Sally Gibson
When asked about hauntings on Tuesday's tour, [Albert] Walavich said he knew he would get a question about ghosts on Halloween, but he doesn't believe any haunt the grounds. Taylor Hartz

haunting

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adjective

: having qualities (such as sadness or beauty) that linger in the memory : not easily forgotten
a haunting melody
haunting images
… pale, branchless tree trunks with a haunting, Georgia O'Keeffe quality …Susannah Master

haunting

3 of 3

present participle of haunt entry 1

Examples of haunting in a Sentence

Adjective the haunting tones of the Highland bagpipes
Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
The film is currently seeking financing for pre-production, production and post-production phases, with plans to bring this haunting and poetic narrative to audiences worldwide. Jamie Lang, Variety, 16 May 2025 This relentless haunting continues until the victim succumbs, typically by suicide in front of another witness, thereby transferring the curse to the next individual. Jane Lacroix, People.com, 15 May 2025
Adjective
In a beautiful collision of worlds, our talented composer Paul Banks has reinterpreted two Iggy songs in his own unique and haunting way, serving as celebration of both Iggy and the film’s themes. Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 15 May 2025 The massacre of the Jezebel’s women is a scene of shocking violence for the dystopian series, and the execution of so many women is a haunting vision June imagines when she’s then told by Nick what happened. Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for haunting

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, "frequenting a place, dwelling place," from haunten "to frequent, haunt entry 1" + -ing -ing entry 1

Adjective

from present participle of haunt entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1823, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of haunting was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Haunting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/haunting. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.

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