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phantom

[fan-tuhm] / ˈfæn təm /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But these phantom trends can prove frightening - especially because in rare cases, some of them do have real-life consequences.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026

They concluded that the chatbots appropriately identified problematic prompts, like a feeling of being watched by phantom people or feeling personally persecuted by the government, as a developing delusion only about half the time.

From Slate • Feb. 2, 2026

If the 300 billion figure is more phantom than real, it would mean that Venezuelan oil won’t pose nearly as much competition long-term to its closest competitor: Canadian heavy oil.

From Barron's • Jan. 6, 2026

She said a year later the bottles were still in the backroom, suggesting the sales were phantom transactions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 25, 2025

The phantom Samaritan stuck the book between his teeth, crouched down, hoisted Arnold Jones’s limp carcass over his shoulder, and hauled him out of there like a sack of flour.

From "Maniac Magee" by Jerry Spinelli