1
as in horrible
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment
that's an awful thing to say about someone
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in amazing
causing wonder or astonishment
the awful power of Niagara Falls
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in horrific
extremely disturbing or repellent
spare me the awful details of the murder
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in terrible
extremely unsatisfactory
I can't believe I spent good money to see that movie—it was awful
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in terribly
to a great degree
that's awful sweet of you
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of awful
David Wilson, Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2025
The Tigers were an awful offensive club, racking up 1,595 strikeouts with just 149 homers; team was plagued by injuries after a 7-3 start.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 28 Sep. 2025
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
Adjective
The awful start to the 2025-26 NFL season has all Grier, McDaniel and Tagovailoa under the microscope.
—David Wilson, Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2025
The Tigers were an awful offensive club, racking up 1,595 strikeouts with just 149 homers; team was plagued by injuries after a 7-3 start.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 28 Sep. 2025
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
-
While that might be great for the profitability in real estate, in consumer goods and apparel, that’s horrible.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
6 Oct. 2025
-
In the past, the Soviet Union had a horrible impact on Georgian wine.—
Jessica Jungbauer,
Vogue,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Shackleton may have made a mistake in the outdoors, and the amazing story of his getting back on track entertained millions of people for a century afterward.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The flocking is amazing, not too heavy yet sturdy.—
Toni Sutton,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
His horrific crimes went on to inspire classic horror movies like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, The Silence of the Lambs and Psycho.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Reading out the verdict, Korner recounted the horrific crimes committed by Abd–Al-Rahman, including gang rapes, abuse, and mass killings.—
Emmanuel Akinwotu,
NPR,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
That's a terrible average to bet your life on.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
-
When his estranged daughter Sam tracks him down, in a last-ditch effort to dig her way out of serious trouble, Mickey must choose between rekindling his relationship with his daughter in the face of a terrible tragedy or pursuing a once-in-a-lifetime career opportunity.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
3 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Not terribly long ago, Spanish restaurants were abundant in this part of Manhattan, but a good number have died off in recent years.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Immediate forgiveness – a message of letting go of the anger that comes with being so terribly wronged – has a familiar sound to those who have been following a frighteningly violent news cycle.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Lindell handles very ugly, difficult matchups and usually comes out on top, regardless of who he’s partnered with.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
If the scoreline made for ugly reading, the performance wasn’t much better.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Skor bars are a nonnegotiable addition; the cookies have the perfect toffee-to-chocolate ratio and wonderful texture.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
3 Oct. 2025
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Today’s tech news follows; have a wonderful weekend.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Gein committed many gruesome crimes, but cannibalism was not one of them.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
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But one photo, far less gruesome, has been gnawing at me for weeks.—
Ruth Margalit,
New Yorker,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Awful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/awful. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
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