1. ghosts or apparitions of dead people
2. haunting or disturbing thoughts, memories, or possibilities
Usage: figurative

Examples

• The old mansion was said to be haunted by the specters of its former owners.
• Children often imagine specters lurking in dark corners at night.
• The specter of unemployment loomed over the factory workers.
• She couldn’t escape the specters of her past mistakes.
• The specter of war cast a shadow over the peace negotiations.
• Local legends tell of specters wandering the abandoned cemetery.
• The specter of climate change motivates many environmental activists.