as in dreadfulness
the quality of inspiring intense dread or dismay
the awfulness of the car accident can scarcely be described
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 awfulness
Howard, now in his 70s, decided to make a film about the fundamental awfulness of other humans, delivering one of his darkest stories in the process.
—
Will Leitch, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
The awfulness of it scrapes my veins, turning everything orange and raw.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Will Leitch, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
The awfulness of it scrapes my veins, turning everything orange and raw.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for awfulness
Noun
-
Moore previously served as the defense attorney for Louise and David Turpin, the California couple who abused and imprisoned their 13 children and dependent adults in a 'house of horrors' for years.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The Hateful Eight and also headlined the horror-Western Bone Tomahawk, which featured Fox in a supporting role.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
What if the atrocities amount to genocide?—
Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
So much atrocity, so much terror is unbearable.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Awfulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/awfulness. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share