as in dreadfulness
the quality of inspiring intense dread or dismay
the awfulness of the car accident can scarcely be described
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Recent Examples of awfulness
In a world so full of dread and awfulness, why not take a moment to read anonymous petty literary gossip on the internet?
—
Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026
The relative excitement around the Rockies having arrived in San Diego at 6-6 is a reaction based on their relative awfulness.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2026
Perhaps its incorporation of vogue ideas dazzles critics who might otherwise discern its awfulness (Amazon’s Transparent).
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
Traditionally a dumping ground for films studios have no belief in, the first month of the year occasionally offers up films that stand out, whether due to memeability, genuine quality, or sheer rancid awfulness.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 21 Jan. 2026
Michael’s awfulness and aggression drew a lot of heat his way and helped activate most of the cast into what will hopefully be a competitive back half.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 16 Jan. 2026
On the farthest rung of awfulness, the New York Jets became the first team in NFL history to go an entire season without intercepting a pass.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 6 Jan. 2026
Hence the modest point spread despite Jets’ awfulness.
—Greg Cote
january 1, Miami Herald, 1 Jan. 2026
Up-market producer David Susskind railed for four hours about the awfulness of the boob tube.
—Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026
The relative excitement around the Rockies having arrived in San Diego at 6-6 is a reaction based on their relative awfulness.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2026
Perhaps its incorporation of vogue ideas dazzles critics who might otherwise discern its awfulness (Amazon’s Transparent).
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
Traditionally a dumping ground for films studios have no belief in, the first month of the year occasionally offers up films that stand out, whether due to memeability, genuine quality, or sheer rancid awfulness.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 21 Jan. 2026
Michael’s awfulness and aggression drew a lot of heat his way and helped activate most of the cast into what will hopefully be a competitive back half.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 16 Jan. 2026
On the farthest rung of awfulness, the New York Jets became the first team in NFL history to go an entire season without intercepting a pass.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 6 Jan. 2026
Hence the modest point spread despite Jets’ awfulness.
—Greg Cote
january 1, Miami Herald, 1 Jan. 2026
Up-market producer David Susskind railed for four hours about the awfulness of the boob tube.
—Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for awfulness
Noun
-
Shelley’s famous Gothic horror novel was born out of those sessions.—
Jen Chaney,
Vulture,
17 June 2026
-
Mostly, the show is an eccentric yet seamless mix of black humor and horror, with Wyck trying to convince Loftis that the island’s curses are real.—
Stephen Rodrick,
Rolling Stone,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Off the record, Harris conveyed her deep despair at the scale of atrocity in Gaza.—
Ta-Nehisi Coates,
Vanity Fair,
15 June 2026
-
As a survivor of the Armenian Genocide during World War I, Galentz’s oeuvre serves not only as a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit but also the power of creativity amid some of the worst imaginable atrocities.—
The Editors of ARTnews,
ARTnews.com,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
No amount of gore or ghastliness is off limits for the series, produced by horror champions Blumhouse, as Nicole Kidman's titular medical examiner pores over the remains of the dead.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
What makes your own skin crawl isn’t just the hideousness of the violence but the unblinking matter-of-factness with which DaCosta films it.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The result is depressingly rizzless for something based on a game famous for its gruesomeness.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
6 May 2026
-
Even early on, before the gruesomeness starts spiraling out of control, Stephen McKeon’s stabbing, head-scrambling score and Peter Albrechtsen’s gut-churning soundscape work overtime to jangle our nerves.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Awfulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/awfulness. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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