Spectre (Noun)

A ghostly appearing figure; "we were unprepared for the apparition that confronted us".

Nouns denoting people.

The spectre of death loomed over the old mansion, striking fear into the hearts of all who entered.
As I lay in bed, I could have sworn I saw the spectre of a young girl standing in the corner of my room.
The villagers believed that the abandoned mill was haunted by the spectre of a former worker who had died there.
The spectre of war cast a long shadow over the city, a grim reminder of the devastation that had occurred.
After the tragic accident, the spectre of the deceased driver haunted the stretch of highway where it had happened.

A mental representation of some haunting experience; "he looked like he had seen a ghost"; "it aroused specters from his past".

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.

The memories of war brought back a spectre of horror that continued to haunt his every waking moment.
Her thoughts were consumed by the spectre of failure that loomed over her entire life.
The funeral brought up a spectre of grief that she thought she had finally laid to rest.
The abandoned asylum was said to be haunted by the spectre of former patients who died there.
The phone call from an unknown number conjured up a spectre of anxiety that lingered throughout the day.