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
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
There is no way to sugarcoat the awfulness of those months of anxiety.
—Kate Callen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Jan. 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
The awfulness of it scrapes my veins, turning everything orange and raw.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
There is no way to sugarcoat the awfulness of those months of anxiety.
—Kate Callen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Jan. 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
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
-
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
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In ‘Leviticus,’ Adrian Chiarella harnesses horror’s visceral power to confront homophobia with intelligence and imaginative flair, transforming a story of young love under siege into a gripping, urgent debut.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Our research examined how social media functions not simply as a space for outrage but also as a tool for truth-telling, collective memory and potentially atrocity prevention.—
Arnaud Kurze,
The Conversation,
9 Mar. 2026
-
This is just a small, partial list of atrocities against Americans since the Islamic Revolution in Iran.—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
8 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
Cite this Entry
“Awfulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/awfulness. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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