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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of awful
Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
Just an awful start for Mahomes and the passing offense.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 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
For most of its 138-year existence, the Indiana University football team has excelled at being awful.
—Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
Just an awful start for Mahomes and the passing offense.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 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
-
And just SoundCloud having horrible protection.—
Mackenzie Cummings-Grady,
Billboard,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Unfortunately, Los Angeles received some horrible news regarding Doncic and Reaves ahead of its matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Working with the uniquely gifted Erin Foster, this unbelievable cast of talented, hilarious pros, amazing writers and incredible crew has been a truly great experience.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Working with the uniquely gifted Erin Foster, this unbelievable cast of talented, hilarious pros, amazing writers, and incredible crew has been a truly great experience.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
However, watching the slow and steady movement of a horrific storm on a collision course with my beloved land over the last several days was agonizing.—
Grace White,
Essence,
29 Oct. 2025
-
According to police, the horrific incident began when the child’s mother, who was out of town on Friday, asked her father to check on her daughter as she was being cared for by the nanny.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
There have always been fascist forces, there have always been people who are just terrible in the American government, but at the same time, there are always people who have resisted, and there are always people who have still found ways to create joy, to create life, to create art, despite these.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Marchand’s terrible week ended with joy.—
Adam H. Beasley,
Miami Herald,
2 Nov. 2025
Adverb
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With its frozen setting, enigmatic characters, and haunting tone, Let The Right One In is, at its core, a twisted and terribly sad love story — as all the best vampire movies are.—
Katie Rife,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
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Something went terribly wrong in the flavor-infusion process.—
Jolene Thym,
Mercury News,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The long-range scoring of Sandell and Thomas provided the night’s most memorable moments, but Mateer helped pace the offense after an ugly 99-yard first half, racking up 252 yards in the second.—
David Ubben,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Advertisement Ugly sentiments deserve ugly art, though Jude takes a nuanced stance on this matter.—
Andy Crump,
Time,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
And so for me, baseball is a wonderful place to leave everything, all the mess that the world is in, behind, and just watch these incredibly talented people exceed and do their jobs.—
Alison Weinflash,
Rolling Stone,
31 Oct. 2025
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Scientists have long known that dogs make wonderful companions, offering emotional support and even measurable health benefits to their human owners.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Halloween was significantly more graphic than many of its predecessors, and Zombie said the gruesome violence was a deliberate choice and that it wasn’t supposed to be easy viewing.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
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The five-minute mash-up rapidly intercuts scenes of happy domesticity (a loving mother, kids in face paint eating popcorn in front of the tube, teens affectionately goofing around) with gruesome murders committed by a beautiful little boy.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Awful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/awful. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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