Dantean

adjective

Dan·​te·​an ˈdan-tē-ən How to pronounce Dantean (audio) ˈdän- How to pronounce Dantean (audio)
: of, relating to, or suggestive of Dante or his writings
especially : having a hellish or bizarre quality
refugees lived a Dantean existence A. E. Cowdrey

Examples of Dantean in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Remember the biblical storm that swept Texas in February 2021, shutting down the state’s utility grid, plunging millions of residents into Dantean cold and dark for days, and leaving at least 246 people dead? Will Swaim, National Review, 2 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Dantean.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Dantean was in 1785

Dictionary Entries Near Dantean

Cite this Entry

“Dantean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Dantean. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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