as in haunting
of, relating to, or suggestive of a ghost
They spotted a spectral figure in the window of the old abandoned house.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
The series also serves as the MCU’s introduction of spectral magic meeting tech via the villainous character The Hood (Anthony Ramos), a low-level criminal who stumbles upon a magical cloak powered by the same forces depicted in Doctor Strange.
—
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 23 June 2025
The purpose of the maze target is to calibrate the positioning of the laser scanner mirror and characterize the laser's focus, which requires a target with sharply contrasting spectral responses.
—Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 6 June 2025
The spare but spectral landscapes recall Julie Taymor’s Shakespearean adaptation Titus as well as the supernal opening that Vilmos Zsigmond photographed for Scarecrow, Jerry Schatzberg’s 1970s exploration of American anomie.
—Armond White, National Review, 4 June 2025
Don’t expect to see Luke Skywalker in any of the upcoming films Lucasfilm has planned — even as a spectral Force Ghost.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for spectral
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 23 June 2025
The purpose of the maze target is to calibrate the positioning of the laser scanner mirror and characterize the laser's focus, which requires a target with sharply contrasting spectral responses.
—Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 6 June 2025
The spare but spectral landscapes recall Julie Taymor’s Shakespearean adaptation Titus as well as the supernal opening that Vilmos Zsigmond photographed for Scarecrow, Jerry Schatzberg’s 1970s exploration of American anomie.
—Armond White, National Review, 4 June 2025
Don’t expect to see Luke Skywalker in any of the upcoming films Lucasfilm has planned — even as a spectral Force Ghost.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for spectral
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spectral
Adjective
-
Antarctica's crimson waterfall is truly haunting, and very few people ever see it in person.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
6 July 2025
-
For five seasons, creator and host Rod Serling guided unsuspecting viewers through some of the most haunting, macabre stories ever told.—
Declan Gallagher,
EW.com,
3 July 2025
Adjective
-
That arrangement builds to an exhilarating climax largely fueled by Lindsey Buckingham’s guitar lead, from the eerie wailing of those high notes to its fiery conclusion.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
11 July 2025
-
Instead, what ensued was an eerie redux of another Wimbledon lion’s last stand.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Although Cheol-su and Young-hee may forever be known to the world as giant, creepy animatronic dolls, they’re based on fictional characters found in old Korean language textbooks.—
Regina Kim,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
-
The latest trailer incorporates personal outtakes of Franco and Brie’s love story interspersed with creepy stills from the film.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
These actively reduce phantom power draw which is the energy consumed by electronics even when they are turned off.—
Dianne Plummer,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
-
There are about 3,600 bunkers on Sazan, armored cement mushrooms emerging from the vegetation or perched on mountaintops like lookouts against phantom American aircraft carriers or Soviet frigates.—
Marzio Mian,
The Dial,
12 June 2025
Adjective
-
Ghost Tour: Take a night tour through the eerie streets of Bisbee, known for its haunted past and the ghostly tales of its mining days.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 July 2025
-
Their love is reignited in the most unlikely form, but not everyone welcomes her return—especially March’s family, still unsettled by a ghostly presence that appeared after a factory worker’s death forced their business to close.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
The Rockies’ next head of baseball operations needs to come from outside their weird little world, but possess a feel for the challenges of building a winner at Coors Field.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
8 July 2025
-
Despite not being a purveyor of nail products, Selena Gomez has established herself as something of a finger chameleon (Too weird?—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
Immediately following Profiler came the recurring role of Cole Turner, a half-demon, on the Aaron Spelling supernatural drama Charmed from 2000 to 2003.—
Marc Berman,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
-
Rhonda and Jason Halbert wrote a trilogy of supernatural thriller books called The Goodpasture Chronicles.—
Melonee Hurt,
The Tennessean,
4 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spectral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spectral. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share