spook
1 of 2verb/spuk/
Forms:spooks,spooking,spooked,spooked
1
to startle or frighten someone suddenly
transitive- The sudden noise from the door slamming spooked the cat, causing it to jump.
- The eerie silence in the abandoned house spooked the group of friends exploring it.
- Don't sneak up on me like that; you really spooked me!
- The unexpected appearance of the ghost in the movie spooked the audience.
- The strange shadows in the dimly lit alleyway spooked me as I walked home.