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

The biggest impediment to any ongoing story is that, as Big Bads go, Jeremiah Paulson is awful. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026 In recent years, an awful muscle-wasting disease — inclusion-body myositis — has robbed Krukow of his physical mobility. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 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

After years of seeing enough photos of fabulous wealth and horrible tragedy, these types of images cease to shock us.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026
But the horrible jobs data suggests the central bank may have to think about weakening consumer spending as well.

— Sarah Min, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of horrible

Adjective

Gen gets to bust out her flapper dress only to witness the most horrific, awful, potentially career-destroying failure … the caviar, oysters, and bread are all crowded onto the bread plate.

— Emma Soren, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
In her very first on-screen role, Reeves brings a nuanced, brave, and deeply intuitive performance as the titular character, an eight-year-old San Francisco resident who witnesses a horrific crime and has to deal with the emotional fallout.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of horrific

Adjective

That Crowley came from behind to win was a testament to Evers’ grit and determination to keep the nomination from Hong, whom Evers said was unlikely to win in November, and to how terrible of a campaigner Hong turned out to be in the home stretch.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
Although the Constitution requires congressional involvement in war-making, Trump like Nixon disdained that mandate with terrible consequences.

— Elizabeth Holtzman, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of terrible

Adverb

Having a conversation with Gold House founder Bing Chen isn’t terribly dissimilar from taking an amphetamine.

— Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026
Along with its terribly cool clientele, Area became known for its décor and lavish installations, whose theme changed every six weeks.

— Marlow Stern, Variety, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of terribly

Adjective

The restaurant has two Michelin stars; there's also a daytime bistro and a wonderful bar worth spending a few hours in.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Aug. 2026
And like ginseng was supposed to be like this magical supplement that, like, improved health and memory and all sorts of wonderful things.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of wonderful

Adjective

In a two-story warehouse on the back lot, just a few blocks away from the streets of Tumbleton, Mason gives me a tour of his prosthetics operation, which is currently abuzz with workers assembling gruesome wounds and other injuries.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
The utter carnage that follows brings major developments for all the main characters still on the chessboard — and many gruesome deaths by dragon fire, boiling oil, spikes and even catapults.

— Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 10 Aug. 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 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of awful

adjective

adverb

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