spooked 1 of 2

spooked

2 of 2

verb

past tense of spook

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 spooked
Verb
Thus, there’s little sense in getting spooked in the pre-Christmas months; when ad rates are negligible, the cost of doling out any necessary audience deficiency units isn’t exactly going to break the bank. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 27 Dec. 2024 The points deductions given to Everton and Nottingham Forest last season seem to have also spooked clubs into being extra cautious around PSR. Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024 Some comments under the video show viewers spooked by the scene, weighing in on whether the leg movement was a result of some kind of paranormal intervention or not. Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024 This post was originally published on December 20 Bitcoin has fallen sharply, dropping along with stock markets after the Federal Reserve warned inflation remained sticky and BlackRock spooked the market. Billy Bambrough, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024 Bitcoin has fallen sharply, dropping along with stock markets after the Federal Reserve warned inflation remained sticky and BlackRock spooked the market. Billy Bambrough, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024 But he’s also promised to shake up the country’s food and drug industries, promoting healthy lifestyles and disrupting corporate forces driving obesity, addiction and other illnesses — a platform that has broad political appeal but has spooked markets. Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 20 Dec. 2024 Centrist politicians across Europe have toughened their migration policies in recent months, spooked by the electoral success of charismatic right-wing and anti-migrant leaders. Rob Picheta, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024 But the deer had spooked (likely from the sound of the ATV, Laleman thinks). Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 4 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spooked
Adjective
  • The family is frightened, but the soldiers aren’t there to terrorize them.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Financial markets have crashed, consumers are frightened, and deals are paralyzed.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Most lawyers will be too scared of retaliation to even bring lawsuits challenging Trump’s actions.
    Ian Millhiser, Vox, 29 Mar. 2025
  • The pup, Butter, was filmed in September of last year looking scared and nervous around her new kitty sibling, keeping her distance from the feline and hiding away in her owner's arms, as if terrified of the new addition to the family.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The movie sees the revival of arch-villain Feathers McGraw, who terrified kids in 1993’s The Wrong Trousers.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 23 Dec. 2024
  • My Hugo would chase it and bark at it, or he'd be terrified.
    Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • And most importantly, surround yourself with other women who think big, talk money openly, and aren’t afraid to build serious wealth.
    Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Will Poulter has never been afraid to get rough on screen and the same apparently applies to his work process as well.
    Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In Maryland, though, some lawmakers have grown alarmed at the potential fallout.
    Amanda Hernandez, Baltimore Sun, 24 Mar. 2025
  • Europe is alarmed at what the loss of America’s democratic leadership means for stability and progress around the world.
    Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The model's celebrity friends were equally shocked at the haircut.
    Catherine Santino, People.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • In post-match interviews, Pochettino sometimes seemed almost shocked at the lack of effort from his squad and suggested, vaguely at least, that other players would be brought in to replace underperforming ones should the issue continue.
    Pablo Maurer, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spooked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spooked. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

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