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
-
In the exhibition, surrounded by 100 of them, hung on white cloth in a grid, the horror of the conflict is irrefutable.—
Harrison Jacobs,
ARTnews.com,
12 May 2026
-
Still, there’s plenty to look forward to, including new films from Pedro Almodóvar, Asghar Farhadi, and Hirokazu Kore-eda, as well as an Ira Sachs musical starring Rami Malek, a crime drama from James Gray, and a sapphic horror film from Jane Schoenbrun.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
This plan is an atrocity deserving to be overturned — quickly.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 May 2026
-
Sartre wrote the essay in 1944, as people around the world were learning the extent of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
8 May 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 15 May. 2026.
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