Do you need some tips on how to describe a ghost town in a story? Use the 10 words featured in this post as guide to help you.
1. Spooky
Definition
Somewhere with a scary atmosphere that could be haunted.
Examples
“He didn’t want to visit the spooky ghost town, but he was worried what the group would call him if he said no.”
“The spooky ghost town was real and scary, unlike those kitsch fairground rides that can’t even scare children.”
How it Adds Description
The word “spooky” is a perfect pairing for a ghost town as it implies an area is scary or even haunted. If your ghost town is literally home to spirits or ghosts, this word can signify their presence. However, it can also point to a general unpleasant atmosphere and portray that your characters are creeped out.
2. Intimidating
Definition
Someone or somewhere that’s frightening to the point you lose confidence.
Examples
“She took one step towards the intimidating ghost town and changed her mind. She wasn’t going to face her fears today.”
“They looked at the intimidating ghost town and it looked back, taunting them with its presence.”
How it Adds Description
If your ghost town scares your characters, the word “intimidating” can show the effect it’s having on them. “Intimidating” shows someone is feeling nervous or frightened, and this is a perfect way to show the intensity of your ghost-like setting. It can also foreshadow future plot points in the town, ideal if you want to hint at the future.
3. Haunted
Definition
Somewhere that’s home to ghosts or spirits.
Examples
“But the haunted ghost town is just an old tale… Isn’t it?”
“She flat-out refused to talk about the haunted ghost town, and everyone had to respect her decision.”
How it Adds Description
The adjective “haunted” clearly implies that the location is home to ghosts or spirits. This is a powerful word to use if you’re writing a horror novel, as it helps to build a scary setting. It can also hint at the ghost town’s past, and you can use this word to build up curiosity surrounding your fictional world’s history.
4. Hushed
Definition
Somewhere very quiet and almost silent.
Examples
“The hushed ghost town didn’t bother her. It was the people back home that got on her nerves.”
“He was shocked by the hushed ghost town. He expected hustle and bustle in all the streets.”
How it Adds Description
The word “hushed” conveys a place is very quiet or silent. If your ghost town is uninhabited or home to a scare population, “hushed” can portray the atmosphere there. “Hushed” can also build suspense, and you can pair this adjective with creepy action to scare your reader and characters.
5. Vacant
Definition
Something or somewhere not being used by anyone.
Examples
“Don’t turn left off the freeway, there’s an old vacant ghost town over there. People haven’t lived there in years.”
“He crept through the vacant ghost town as if someone was watching him, but no one had lived here since the accident.”
How it Adds Description
The word “vacant” describes a place that’s completely empty, which is perfect when describing a ghost town. This word lets your reader know there’s no inhabitants. It can also be used to build an image of a neglected place, for example a run-down town that has bad infrastructure.
6. Disgraced
Definition
Somewhere that has lost the respect of the authorities of people.
Examples
“The locals had left the disgraced ghost town after the accident, and they had no intentions of coming back.”
“The disgraced ghost town never regained respect, and it has been left to rot.”
How it Adds Description
If your ghost town has been abandoned because of an incident or stigma, the word “disgraced” can help explain the situation to your reader. “Disgraced” describes somewhere that’s fallen out of favor with local opinion, and this can hint that something bad happened in the town. It also implies the town is a bad place, and the inhabitants questionable.
7. Chilling
Definition
Somewhere very scary.
Examples
“Even the thought of the chilling ghost town made her hair stand up on end.”
“The chilling ghost town made him question his courage; he did not feel safe there at all.”
How it Adds Description
If your ghost town is unpleasant and scary, “chilling” is a helpful word to use. This adjective shows that the location has a physical effect on the characters, as “chilling” refers to a type of fear that resonates in the body.
8. Remote
Definition
Somewhere far away from urban areas or cities.
Examples
“She didn’t want to leave the comfort of the city for a remote ghost town, but she had to honor her manager’s instructions.”
“Don’t talk to me about community, you live in a remote ghost town!”
How it Adds Description
Ghost towns with few inhabitants are common as you move further away from urban areas. Therefore, “remote” is a good adjective to use if you want to illustrate more about the ghost town’s location. In a horror story, “remote” can create a sense of helplessness, as there are no nearby authorities to help the characters.
9. Disturbing
Definition
Somewhere that evokes feelings of sadness or worry.
Examples
“It was a disturbing ghost town. All the houses looked as if they were frozen in time.”
“She awoke in the disturbing ghost town, and her stomach instantly sank.”
How it Adds Description
If you simply want to illustrate how horrible your ghost town is, the word “disturbing” can help. This adjective points to a location that’s scary or physically unpleasant, which is great for building a clear mental image of the settlement.
10. Eerie
Definition
Somewhere that makes you feel nervous or is slightly strange.
Examples
“She couldn’t take the eerie ghost town anymore; it was too quiet and uncanny.”
“Together, they explored the eerie ghost town, but they were shocked at the reason it was so quiet.”
How it Adds Description
“Eerie” is linked to places that are odd or scary, and this is a great way to insight fear in your reader. The word “eerie” can also help to portray your character’s anxiety, especially when you pair it with more negative descriptive language.