the specter of (something)
idiom
: a notion or fear of something bad that might happen in the future
a nation alarmed/haunted by the specter of famine/war
News of the disease raised the specter of a possible plague.
Examples of the specter of (something) in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Of course Trump, DeSantis, Noem and Uthmeier will deny bathing in the specter of savagery, even as Trump’s GOP raised money off it, while sidestepping their role in likely deaths that will have much less soundbite potential.
—
Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 July 2025
The decision to close the waterway now rests with the country's national security council, and its possibility has raised the specter of higher energy prices and aggravated geopolitical tensions, with Washington calling upon Beijing to prevent the strait's closure.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 23 June 2025
The defense has tried to raise the specter of the taillight being tampered with after police seized the vehicle and suggested its pieces were planted at the scene.
—Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 16 June 2025
Still, Gaines, as well as conservative lawmakers and other anti-trans activists, has used the specter of Thomas and transgender athletes to pursue a nationwide movement to ban them from competing in women’s sports.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for the specter of (something)
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Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 July 2025
The decision to close the waterway now rests with the country's national security council, and its possibility has raised the specter of higher energy prices and aggravated geopolitical tensions, with Washington calling upon Beijing to prevent the strait's closure.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 23 June 2025
The defense has tried to raise the specter of the taillight being tampered with after police seized the vehicle and suggested its pieces were planted at the scene.
—Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 16 June 2025
Still, Gaines, as well as conservative lawmakers and other anti-trans activists, has used the specter of Thomas and transgender athletes to pursue a nationwide movement to ban them from competing in women’s sports.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for the specter of (something)
Cite this Entry
“The specter of (something).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20specter%20of%20%28something%29. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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