Spook

To cause fear or alarm; to frighten or scare. This can involve a sudden shock or a lingering sense of unease. It can also refer to someone, usually a spy or secret agent, working in covert operations. Colloquially, it may refer to a ghost or apparition. The degree of being spooked can range from mild apprehension to sheer terror. The term can be used literally or figuratively to describe a variety of situations and emotional responses.

Spook meaning with examples

• The old house, with its creaking floorboards and shadowy corners, always managed to spook the children, especially when they were left alone at night. A sudden loud noise or a scary movie will usually spook someone. They were startled by the loud bang that followed after the firework exploded, causing some people to cover their ears.
• The detective was determined not to spook the suspect during the surveillance operation, understanding that any sudden movement or intrusion could jeopardize the entire investigation. Spies are also commonly referred to as spooks. The agency deployed an experienced spook to infiltrate the enemy's network and gather crucial intelligence about its weaknesses.
• Every year on Halloween, many people visit a haunted house in order to have an experience that might spook them. Some people can be spooked by reading horror novels, while others find that watching horror movies provides them with the same feeling. The villagers told tales of a spook that haunted the graveyard.
• The unexpected economic downturn spooked investors, leading to a rapid sell-off in the stock market and causing many investors to quickly sell their shares. Many people who gamble are easily spooked, causing them to lose all of their money. The rumors about a rival company's innovation spooked the CEO, causing him to speed up the development of their own competing product.
• The unexpected flash of lightning spooked the horses, causing them to bolt and throw their riders off the track. Many people are spooked by public speaking. The approaching storm clouds, coupled with the howling wind, served to spook the campers, forcing them to take shelter inside their tents.