lurid

adjective

lu·​rid ˈlu̇r-əd 

1

a

: causing horror or revulsion : gruesome

The tabloids gave all the lurid details of floating wreckage and dismembered bodies.

b

: melodramatic, sensational

also : shocking

paperbacks in the usual lurid covers

—T. R. Fyvel

2

a

: wan and ghastly pale in appearance

frightened to death by the lurid waxworks

—Sara H. Hay

b

: of any of several light or medium grayish colors ranging in hue from yellow to orange

3

: shining with the red glow of fire seen through smoke or cloud

lurid flames

luridly adverb

luridness noun

Synonyms

• appalling
• atrocious
• awful
• dreadful
• frightful
• ghastly
• grisly
• gruesome
• grewsome
• hideous
• horrendous
• horrible
• horrid
• horrific
• horrifying
• macabre
• monstrous
• nightmare
• nightmarish
• shocking
• terrible
• terrific

Choose the Right Synonym for lurid

ghastly, grisly, gruesome, macabre, lurid mean horrifying and repellent in appearance or aspect.

ghastly suggests the terrifying aspects of corpses and ghosts.

a ghastly accident

grisly and gruesome suggest additionally the results of extreme violence or cruelty.

an unusually grisly murder

suffered a gruesome death

macabre implies a morbid preoccupation with the physical aspects of death.

a macabre tale of premature burial

lurid adds to gruesome the suggestion of shuddering fascination with violent death and especially with murder.

the lurid details of a crime

Examples of lurid in a Sentence

a lurid tale of violence and betrayal

the lurid lighting of a nightclub

The light from the fire cast a lurid glow on everything.

Recent Examples on the Web

Prosecutors started their criminal case against Trump with eye-catching and lurid stories, but the heart of the matter is invoices and ledger entries. —William K. Rashbaum, New York Times, 6 May 2024

Politics in brief Tabloid tactics: Former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker’s testimony in Trump’s hush money trial illustrated how shocking the publisher’s tactics were, even by the more lurid standards typical of tabloids. —Josh Feldman, NBC News, 28 Apr. 2024

But the American historical psyche — the nasty, lurid stuff, the paranoia, the paradox, the farce, the terror, the truth. —Wesley Morris, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024

At first, the tale of a woman (Simona Brown) who starts sleeping with her boss (Tom Bateman) while navigating a strange relationship with his wife (Eve Hewson) might sound like a lurid Lifetime drama. —Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 2 Apr. 2024

Māori Wardens: With lurid crime stories dominating headlines, New Zealand’s new prime minister has pitched a tougher approach to law enforcement. —Rebecca Carballo, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2024

To capture market share, publishers emphasized lurid scandals and dangerously blurred fact and fiction. —TIME, 18 Mar. 2024

Purple Sky Metallic is an absolutely lurid hue that will turn heads from across the county, never mind the parking lot. —Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2024

But politics take a back seat to Jagna’s more lurid, even tragic predicament, which isn’t exactly a love story, either, except perhaps an unrequited one. —Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin luridus pale yellow, sallow

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

lurid

adjective

lu·​rid ˈlu̇r-əd 

1

a

: causing horror or disgust : gruesome

lurid tales of murder

b

: sensational sense 2

lurid book covers

2

: lifelessly pale : wan

3

: shining with the red glow of fire seen through smoke

luridly adverb

luridness noun