AWFUL Synonyms: 429 Similar and Opposite Words

awful 1 of 2

adjective

ˈȯ-fəl

Definition of awful

as in horrible

causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment that's an awful thing to say about someone

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in amazing

causing wonder or astonishment the awful power of Niagara Falls

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in horrific

extremely disturbing or repellent spare me the awful details of the murder

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in terrible

extremely unsatisfactory I can't believe I spent good money to see that movie—it was awful

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

awful

2 of 2

adverb

as in terribly

to a great degree that's awful sweet of you

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of awful

Adjective

Its aimless, contrived, misogynistic, convoluted, messy, overtly long, abysmal, repetative, slow, shallow, and downright awful. — Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026 The two meet cute at a deeply awful Toronto nightclub; Emma is trying to feel young and free, while Raiff’s character, an old soul in a twenty-something body, is taken by the somewhat older woman who is much more fun than his drunk buddies. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2026

Adverb

Someone who has worked awful hard, has a great skill set, four years of college, four years of lifting, four years of game-planning at a high level in Division III. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 26 May 2022 First, there is the question whether the awful-looking restraint maneuver Chauvin used was actually authorized at the time, or at least not clearly forbidden. — D.j. Tice, Star Tribune, 20 Feb. 2021 See All Example Sentences for awful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for awful

Adjective

Doubs had a horrible debut in the league’s season opener last week against the Seattle Seahawks.

— Daniel Popper, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
By the time of the horrible accident in 1829, the deodand was on its way out.

— Amelia Soth, JSTOR Daily, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of horrible

Adjective

The half-day Istanbul tour was amazing, with a visit to Zeyrek Mosque, exploring the Basilica Cistern, and wandering the Spice Market, alive with the most fragrant foodstuffs.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
The ubiquitous carbon fiber looks amazing, of course, from the wide front intake to the active-aero winglets, fairings, the seat subframe, and even the license plate holder hanging off the tail.

— Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of amazing

Adjective

Still, Joe feels responsible and apologizes to Michelle, who, despite probably being in horrific pain, is a very good sport about the whole thing.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
Part of a Lavallette, New Jersey, liquor store was boarded up and a bouquet of flowers was left outside Sunday night, somber reminders of a horrific crash that killed a woman a day earlier.

— Naveen Dhaliwal, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of horrific

Adjective

Not many filmmakers can create something where moments as ugly as Billy’s scatological lectures coexist so elegantly with moments of honest longing and tragedy (and, in one or two moments, tentative hope).

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026
The hate being lobbed at Sheeran is also an unpleasant reminder of the extreme and ugly bullying tactics of the online left.

— Sean Woods, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of ugly

Adjective

Reclaiming the work of women selling fish, and the word that was an insult but is now a beautiful brand, is a wonderful turn of phrase and time, to us.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026
But De Santis is also wonderful at the end of the day, when the sun sets and Milan slowly begins to wind down.

— Emma Bocchi, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of wonderful

Adjective

The scene-stealing role brought her a best supporting actress Oscar nomination, a rarity for comedy — especially given that in the film’s famously gruesome food poisoning set-piece, Megan uses a sink as a toilet.

— Kate Aurthur, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026
Lizzie, who was 32 years old at the time and living at home, became the prime suspect in the gruesome murders, and was arrested and charged shortly after their deaths.

— Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of gruesome

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awestruck

awful

awfully

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“Awful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/awful. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of awful

adjective

adverb

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