as in ghost
the soul of a dead person thought of especially as appearing to living people
we thought a poltergeist was knocking dishes off the shelves, but it turned out to just be vibrations from passing trains
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Recent Examples of poltergeist
Lamorne Morris is a lovesick poltergeist in Ghosts first-look photos
08 of 20
House of the Dragon (2022–present)
Thankfully, Game of Thrones fans didn't have to wait long for another trip to Westeros.
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EW.com, 30 Sep. 2024
In 1548, Johannes Gast wrote about a Faust who had played tricks on a group of monks by introducing a poltergeist into the monastery.
—James Wood, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2024
In the clip, Lydia Deetz (Ryder) and her daughter, Astrid (Ortega), appear to accidentally summon the poltergeist just as Lydia did in the 1988 classic by repeating Beetlejuice's name three times.
—Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 2 July 2024
Soon, two films will compete over nostalgia baiting as Eddie Murphy reprises his role from Beverly Hills Cop and Michael Keaton returns as the titular poltergeist in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, both based on movies from the 1980s.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 28 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for poltergeist 
EW.com, 30 Sep. 2024
In 1548, Johannes Gast wrote about a Faust who had played tricks on a group of monks by introducing a poltergeist into the monastery.
—James Wood, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2024
In the clip, Lydia Deetz (Ryder) and her daughter, Astrid (Ortega), appear to accidentally summon the poltergeist just as Lydia did in the 1988 classic by repeating Beetlejuice's name three times.
—Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 2 July 2024
Soon, two films will compete over nostalgia baiting as Eddie Murphy reprises his role from Beverly Hills Cop and Michael Keaton returns as the titular poltergeist in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, both based on movies from the 1980s.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 28 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for poltergeist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poltergeist
Noun
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In fact, channeling your rage and frustration into creative expression could be the most constructive way to repurpose those ghosts from your teenage diaries that have been woken from their slumber.Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Nov. 2024
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After 36 years, the return of the 1988 Halloween fan-favorite brought back the vindictively hilarious loverboy ghost, Beetlejuice, played by Michael Keaton; the gothic queen herself, Lydia Deetz, played by Winona Ryder; and Catherine O’Hara as Lydia’s stepmom Delia Deetz.Emiliana Betancourt, Variety, 25 Nov. 2024
Noun
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More than five million visited the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe near the site of her apparition in the days ahead of her feast day in 2023, according to estimates shared by the Associated Press.Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 12 Oct. 2024
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Marilyn Monroe’s apparition has been seen at the Roosevelt in Hollywood; Civil War soldiers have been spotted at the Marshall House in Savannah, Georgia.Brooke Bobb, Vogue, 5 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Caro Holdings intends to expand its marketplace platform to the pet care and spirits industries in the United States and the United Kingdom.Quartz Bot, Quartz, 12 Nov. 2024
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The luxury stay has 24-hour room and concierge service included in the price, as well as premium spirits and à la carte restaurants.Tess Foley-Cox, theweek, 12 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The 7-year-old phantom golden doodle is one of a handful of therapy dogs in regional police departments.Bebe Hodges, USA TODAY, 15 Nov. 2024
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This phantom or pretend gain is subject to tax, usually at capital gains rates.Virginia La Torre Jeker, J.D., Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near poltergeist
Cite this Entry
“Poltergeist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poltergeist. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
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