god-awful

adjective

god-aw·​ful gäd-ˈȯ-fəl How to pronounce god-awful (audio)
: extremely unpleasant or disagreeable : abominable
god-awful weather

Examples of god-awful in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
His meme humor and utter dedication to that god-awful nickname should be annoying. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

goddamned + awful

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of god-awful was in 1877

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“God-awful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/god-awful. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on god-awful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!