spooking
Giving a scare
Spooking is a verbal noun made from the verb spook, which means to frighten or startle.
When a horse is spooking, it is reacting fearfully to something that alarms it.
When a human is spooking, they are either acting very cautiously and nervously, or they are attempting to startle or frighten someone.
Trouble persistently, as spirits
- apparitionVisible supernatural manifestation
- phantomInsubstantial apparition
- specterGhostly threatening presence
- wraithSpectral apparition of someone
poltergeist · spirit · ghoul · shade · revenant · banshee · eerie · supernatural
Recoiling with hesitation
- boltingDeparting at speed
- startlingCausing sudden surprise
- skittishProne to nervous fright
- rearingNurturing to maturity
bucking · loud noise · flight response · jumpy · flighty · high-strung · reactive
Disturbingly strange
- eerieDisturbingly strange
- ominousSuggesting something bad approaches
- forebodingFearful anticipation of harm
- disquietingCausing unease or worry
unnerving · disturbing · chilling · sinister · menacing · hair-raising · goosebumps · spine-tingling
Frighten suddenly
- scareCause sudden fright
- alarmUrgent warning signal
- unnerveDisturb someone's composure
- rattleShaking sound maker
jolt · shock · catch off guard · hair-raising · blood-curdling · terrify · petrify · horrify
Systematic observation of subjects
- reconnaissanceInformation-gathering before action
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
- counterintelligenceDefense against enemy espionage
- spyCovert information gatherer
operative · agent · infiltrate · covert · undercover · clandestine · stakeout · tailing
haunt
Trouble persistently, as spirits
- apparitionVisible supernatural manifestation
- phantomInsubstantial apparition
- specterGhostly threatening presence
wraith · poltergeist · spirit · ghoul · shade · revenant · banshee · eerie · supernatural · otherworldly
shying
Recoiling with hesitation
rearing · bucking · loud noise · flight response · jumpy · flighty · high-strung · reactive
creepy
Disturbingly strange
- eerieDisturbingly strange
- ominousSuggesting something bad approaches
- forebodingFearful anticipation of harm
disquieting · unnerving · disturbing · chilling · sinister · menacing · hair-raising · goosebumps · spine-tingling · skin-crawling
startle
Frighten suddenly
rattle · jolt · shock · catch off guard · hair-raising · blood-curdling · terrify · petrify · horrify · intimidate
surveillance
Systematic observation of subjects
- reconnaissanceInformation-gathering before action
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
- counterintelligenceDefense against enemy espionage
spy · operative · agent · infiltrate · covert · undercover · clandestine · stakeout · tailing · shadowing
spookingcalming
Inducing a settled state
soothing · reassuring · comforting · relaxing · settling
spookingsteadying
Making less shaky
settling · gentling · taming · emboldening · encouraging
spookingreassuring
Restoring calm or confidence
emboldening · encouraging · heartening · steeling · fortifying