dreadfully

adverb

Definition of dreadfullynext
as in terribly

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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 dreadfully Rooms in Blocks 8 and 9 are closest to reception, and the swimming pool, but no walk is dreadfully far (especially considering the interesting animals that meander the pathways). — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 Although Yamaha has been dreadfully slow about bringing its motorcycles to India, the R2 made its global debut there this week. — Yamaha, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026 Made from 100 percent cotton, this lightweight number is extremely soft and a great option for dreadfully hot days. — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 12 Aug. 2026 Part slasher parody, part meta commentary on the structure of horror movies, and fully riotous, Behind the Mask is a dreadfully under-appreciated contribution to the subgenre that would have made for a terrific franchise. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 9 June 2026 Especially early in its career, Hum was dreadfully misclassified as just another soft-to-loud/Smashing Pumpkins and Nirvana wannabe, and remained criminally under-appreciated for its heavy/stoner-friendly Midwestern shoegaze vibes long after its breakup. — Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 16 May 2026 More than anything, this documentary is dreadfully dull. — Zack Sharf, Variety, 11 Mar. 2026 That’s another company with a stock that acts dreadfully. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 25 Jan. 2026 Shin Godzilla, written and directed by Hideaki Anno of Neon Genesis Evangelion fame, comes the closest because it’s inspired by its own all-too-recent tragedy and feels dreadfully specific in its metaphor. — James Grebey, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dreadfully
  1. terribly
  2. awfully
  3. horribly
  4. horrendously
  5. disastrously
  6. horrifically
  7. atrociously
  8. poorly
Adverb
  • Susanna Moore is terribly important to us, more so than any of Hemingway’s gallant girls.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The Nazis employed the V-2 heavily during this time, but the rocket was not terribly accurate.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of terribly
Adverb
  • If anything, Trump’s escalating attempts to strong-arm people into a supposedly nicer term for AI makes him — and the industry itself — look awfully weak.
    — Adi Robertson, The Verge, 9 Oct. 2026
  • But the original Best R&B Album category still carries its own sense of cachet, and this year’s field should include some awfully heavy hitters.
    — Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of awfully
Adverb
  • Nature created measles, modern science found the vaccine to stop it cold and end it forever and now horribly, Bobby Kennedy has brought it roaring back.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • One night, Cathy (Pugh) arrives at their doorstep, horribly beaten and seemingly unable to remember her past.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of horribly
Adverb
  • The less said about Bryan’s horrendously gauche fuchsia-and-gold dress with puffy armholes and halter neck the better.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 31 July 2026
  • Too little regulation could allow the unleashing of devilish AI that might wipe us out or at least be horrendously destructive.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of horrendously
Adverb
  • Audi, which disastrously reconfigured its entire model-naming strategy a while ago before changing it all back, must have missed that memo.
    — Jason Barlow, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Of course, wealth taxes would produce revenues that could be directed to useful purposes, such as expanding government programs or reducing the disastrously high federal deficit.
    — Nicholas Lemann, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of disastrously
Adverb
  • That strategy backfired horrifically, as Wood fired a pass to wide receiver Ryan Jezioro smack dab in the middle of the endzone.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Rhys gets to play Mayor Tom’s traumatic reactions to being stalked by a Sea Hag to great effect both comedically and horrifically.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of horrifically
Adverb
  • That pattern stayed broadly consistent last season, when Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur’s goalkeepers performed badly, but not atrociously.
    — Michael Cox, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of atrociously
Adverb
  • Coach Curt Cignetti was asked after the game how his team could play so poorly for most of three quarters and still pull out a win.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The bet went swimmingly for the house and poorly for its takers.
    — Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of poorly

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Cite this Entry

“Dreadfully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dreadfully. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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