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
Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
Serious foodies might be driven insane by some of the demands on display here: The very first challenge is to make the heaviest-weighing meal, while a later one specifically demands awful presentation.
—Kambole Campbell, Vulture, 18 Aug. 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
During the offseason, there were times where Williams looked downright awful.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
Serious foodies might be driven insane by some of the demands on display here: The very first challenge is to make the heaviest-weighing meal, while a later one specifically demands awful presentation.
—Kambole Campbell, Vulture, 18 Aug. 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
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As a Minneapolis resident and Minnesota native, these past few days have been horrible.—
Sam Woodward,
USA Today,
30 Aug. 2025
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However, in the immediate aftermath of something horrible, when everyone feels helpless, prayer can be a good place to go at the start, said Collins.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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But adding a handful here and there will liven up your recipes in the most amazing way.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
31 Aug. 2025
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In addition to the joy and amazing athleticism of the event, Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Surf Dog Surf-a-Thon is the only one of its kind where 100% of the proceeds go directly to supporting orphan pets and programs.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The video offers a rosy view of the situation on the ground in a theatre that has become notorious for human wave attacks and horrific attrition rates on the Russian side.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
1 Sep. 2025
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How could someone like E. Jean Carroll, someone so open and honest, someone who reveled in telling it straight, who believed in the power and magic of women, not only be a victim of a horrific act but then stay quiet about it for so long?—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Whether your team is in the middle of a winning run or mired in terrible form, five minutes looking at the standings can convince you that a hundred different futures are possible.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
14 Aug. 2025
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While the latter is known for its legendarily terrible English localization, both of these were highly innovative horizontal scrolling shmups for their time.—
Ollie Barder,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Adverb
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But something went terribly wrong when, about nine years ago, David was out on a mission ordered by Juno: and he and his team were ambushed.—
Demetrius Patterson,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Aug. 2025
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But dashing from one building to another for meetings wasn’t a terribly efficient way of working.—
Dana Thomas,
Architectural Digest,
18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The stan fighting quickly turned ugly; a fan posted a racist meme of Huda as the police officer who murdered George Floyd, with Olandria’s face pasted on Floyd’s.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
26 Aug. 2025
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This obviously created some hard feelings and things got very ugly.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The music is wonderful and the archival footage a blast.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Aug. 2025
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Make sure everyone gets to enjoy this wonderful pastime for years to come.—
Peter Burke,
FOXNews.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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And taking in the influx of often gruesome, distressing details isn't always helpful.—
Sam Woodward,
USA Today,
30 Aug. 2025
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His anguished mother insisted on an open-casket ceremony to show the world the gruesome cruelty of lynching.—
Lorenzino Estrada,
AZCentral.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Awful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/awful. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
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