haunting means remaining in the mind; not easily forgotten.
Why “haunting” is a great word
Persistently and often poignantly remaining in one's mind; not easily forgotten. From the verb haunt (from Middle English haunten, from Old French hanter, of Germanic origin, meaning 'to frequent') + the present participle suffix -ing. Unlike memorable, which suggests something is worth remembering, or eerie, which conjures a primary atmosphere of fear, haunting describes a quieter, more tenacious lodgment in the consciousness. It is the particular melody that returns unbidden years later, the quality of light in an abandoned room, or the final, unanswerable line of a poem—the subtle and enduring shadow an experience casts upon the mind long after the event itself has passed.
adj
- Remaining in the mind; not easily forgotten.e.g.“He had a haunting gaze.”
noun
- A particular instance of haunting; a ghostly habitation.e.g.“During the haunting, strange voices and noises were heard and objects flew off tables.”
Words closest in meaning
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