Synonyms of dreadful

dreadful

adjective

ˈdred-fəl 

1

as in terrifying

causing fear

a dreadful hurricane

Synonyms & Similar Words

• terrifying
• horrible
• terrible
• formidable
• frightening
• scary
• dread
• intimidating
• alarming
• shocking
• fearful
• horrifying
• ghastly
• horrendous
• frightful
• startling
• eerie
• dire
• creepy
• direful
• fearsome
• gruesome
• forbidding
• troubling
• redoubtable
• spine-chilling
• trying
• disturbing
• threatening
• hair-raising
• hideous
• discouraging
• unnerving
• daunting
• disconcerting
• demoralizing
• perturbing
• weird
• awful
• disquieting
• horrid
• appalling
• distressing
• dismaying
• nightmarish
• grisly
• atrocious
• monstrous
• macabre
• bone-chilling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reassuring
• comforting
• soothing
• relaxing
• calming
• inviting
• consoling
• tranquilizing
• quieting
• nonthreatening
• lulling
• pacifying
• nonintimidating

2

as in awful

causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment

a dreadful performance of a beautiful piece of music

Synonyms & Similar Words

• awful
• horrible
• ugly
• disgusting
• hideous
• sickening
• shocking
• obnoxious
• obscene
• offensive
• nasty
• unpleasant
• evil
• horrid
• terrible
• appalling
• abominable
• horrendous
• loathsome
• horrific
• odious
• gruesome
• gross
• revolting
• repulsive
• abhorrent
• scandalous
• repugnant
• noxious
• distasteful
• nauseating
• foul
• nauseous
• repellent
• undesirable
• noisome
• rancid
• disturbing
• vile
• fulsome
• monstrous
• miserable
• hateful
• unwanted
• disagreeable
• grim
• horrifying
• objectionable
• detestable
• ghastly
• despicable
• contemptible
• atrocious
• frightful
• heinous
• unspeakable
• nightmarish
• unwholesome
• grisly
• sick
• execrable
• unhealthy
• lousy
• brackish
• exceptionable
• unwelcome
• barbarous
• macabre
• lurid
• sickly
• unsavory
• hard
• ungodly
• unholy
• upsetting
• dislikable
• uncivilized
• distressing
• sickish
• unchristian
• off-putting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• innocuous
• pleasant
• acceptable
• delightful
• desirable
• attractive
• delicious
• sweet
• inoffensive
• nice
• agreeable
• enjoyable
• heavenly
• satisfying
• alluring
• welcome
• congenial
• pleasurable
• dreamy
• appealing
• gratifying
• pleasing
• delectable
• felicitous
• luscious
• darling
• blessed
• palatable
• likable
• inviting
• savory
• dulcet
• unobjectionable
• unexceptionable
• healthy
• wholesome
• salutary
• healthful
• salubrious
• restorative
• delightsome

3

as in horrific

extremely disturbing or repellent

dreadful news of a crime wave in the neighborhood

Synonyms & Similar Words

• horrific
• gruesome
• terrible
• horrible
• shocking
• nightmare
• awful
• frightening
• terrific
• horrifying
• hideous
• terrifying
• horrid
• appalling
• scary
• nightmarish
• ghastly
• grisly
• horrendous
• frightful
• atrocious
• sickening
• monstrous
• macabre
• disgusting
• lurid
• fearful
• dire
• alarming
• ugly
• direful
• formidable
• loathsome
• obscene
• revolting
• abominable
• grotesque
• repulsive
• disagreeable
• deplorable
• offensive
• odious
• heinous
• unspeakable
• fearsome
• abhorrent
• repugnant
• evil
• obnoxious
• forbidding
• vile
• intimidating
• gut-wrenching
• redoubtable
• distasteful
• noxious
• nauseating
• bloodcurdling
• noisome
• hair-raising
• heart-stopping
• unsightly
• foul

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pleasant
• delightful
• attractive
• delicious
• welcome
• enjoyable
• agreeable
• satisfying
• appealing
• pleasurable
• pleasing
• delectable
• enticing
• inviting
• comforting
• soothing
• cheering

4

as in intense

extreme in degree, power, or effect

the dreadful heat of the desert

Synonyms & Similar Words

• intense
• intensive
• terrible
• fierce
• ferocious
• deep
• furious
• heavy
• violent
• ghastly
• profound
• vicious
• frightful
• acute
• fearful
• explosive
• excruciating
• fearsome
• exquisite
• blistering
• vehement
• hard
• keen
• heavy-duty
• hellacious
• intensified
• almighty
• harsh
• aggravated
• severe
• heightened
• concentrated
• enhanced
• magnified
• stressed
• exhaustive
• thorough
• deepened
• accentuated
• rigorous
• emphasized

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• light
• weak
• moderate
• feeble
• soft
• superficial
• shallow
• qualified
• eased
• decreased
• diminished
• moderated
• reduced
• toned (down)
• subdued
• lightened
• lessened
• alleviated
• abated

5

as in sheer

having no exceptions or restrictions

made a dreadful mess of his first marriage

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sheer
• utter
• unconditional
• simple
• complete
• absolute
• pure
• total
• definite
• damned
• outright
• perfect
• damn
• very
• deadly
• real
• profound
• huge
• unmitigated
• endless
• horrible
• downright
• regular
• crashing
• thorough
• categorical
• terrible
• thoroughgoing
• stark
• blank
• unqualified
• unadulterated
• fair
• constant
• clean
• consummate
• plumb
• blooming
• flat-out
• out-and-out
• dead
• flat
• straight-out
• rank
• eternal
• arrant
• genuine
• perpetual
• bodacious
• unalloyed
• all-out
• stone
• extreme
• veritable
• authentic
• classic
• hopeless
• extraordinary
• unremitting
• terrific
• main
• frightful
• unrestricted
• undying
• confirmed
• habitual
• supreme
• superlative
• inveterate
• surpassing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• uncertain
• doubtful
• questionable
• dubious
• restricted
• qualified
• equivocal

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of dreadful

The novel’s climax—a sequence defined by reality-shattering magical spectacle—is narrated by one character to another over FaceTime, a dreadful decision that deflates the entire story. — Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026

Granted, your in-laws may be dreadful grandparents, but there are usually four of them. — Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 17 July 2026

The right pieces, however, can truly make getting dressed in the heat feel effortless and not so dreadful. — Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 24 June 2026

Ryan McMahon provided the team’s only run with a third-inning homer, while Camilo Doval, who has been dreadful against lefties, served up a first-pitch grand slam to former Yankee Andrew Benintendi in the eighth inning. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 19 June 2026