as in dread
something or someone that causes fear or dread especially without reason
Form 1040 has always been his personal black beast, and he puts off dealing with it for as long as he can
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 black beast
Based on a 1967 Chevrolet Impala, the black beast is powered by a powerful Chevy V-8 and features parts sourced from a British Harrier fighter jet.
—
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2022
Malone's black beast in the closet is threatening Alaska now.
—Author: Charles Wohlforth | Opinion, Anchorage Daily News, 2 Mar. 2018
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2022
Malone's black beast in the closet is threatening Alaska now.
—Author: Charles Wohlforth | Opinion, Anchorage Daily News, 2 Mar. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for black beast
Noun
-
But some congregants’ anguish over October 7th was compounded by dread about Israel’s brutal, indiscriminate response.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
If anything, all the prognostication about it is being led by dread.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The most violent and thuggish regime on earth would be free to carry out their campaigns of terror, coercion, conquest, and mass murder from behind a nuclear shield.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
By 1944, when much of the city lay in ruins, the terror spread.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In natural systems, pests seldom reach outbreak levels because predators, parasitoids, and disease organisms (collectively called natural enemies) keep populations in check.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Targeting property Iran’s judiciary has begun seizing the property of public figures critical of the country’s rulers, under an anti-espionage law approved during last year’s 12-day war with Israel that punishes media and cultural activities deemed to support Iran’s enemies.—
Amir-Hussein Radjy,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Most references to the Arbat in the ancient chronicles are connected to fires, amid mention of invasions and plagues and noble births.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
-
When Pharaoh refused, God sent the 10 plagues to Egypt as punishment, destroying crops and livestock and afflicting the people, according to the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.—
Lucia Cheng,
Des Moines Register,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Instead, Zendaya’s ogre era will be upon us on June 30, 2027.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
-
But an industry that went from celebrating a movie about an Iranian ogre kidnapping an American woman to movies about Iranian people themselves held hostage by a tyrannical state showed exactly why cinematic choices matter.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Black beast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/black%20beast. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
