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dreadfulness

noun

Definition of dreadfulnessnext
as in horror
the quality of inspiring intense dread or dismay the dreadfulness of an oncoming avalanche can scarcely be described

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dreadfulness
  1. horror
  2. atrocity
  3. awfulness
  4. ghastliness
  5. hideousness
  6. gruesomeness
Noun
  • Thames cemented his status as a young star capable of commanding major studio vehicles with roles in a pair of Universal projects — the 2021 horror flick The Black Phone and 2025’s live-action How to Train Your Dragon.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026
  • But the gala audience that showed up on opening night in Halloween mode (kilts, masks, bloodstained white suits, regal gowns) must have picked up on the production’s ultimate mixture of playfulness and horror.
    — Justin Davidson, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of horror
Noun
  • The atrocities committed in Chile were similar to those in Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, and Central America, where leftist movements and guerrillas were squashed with incredible brutality.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the attack an atrocity with no military purpose.
    — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of atrocity
Noun
  • 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, 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
Definition of 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
Definition of ghastliness
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
Definition of hideousness
Noun
  • Words cannot even begin to adequately express the utter gruesomeness of this crime.
    — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The result is depressingly rizzless for something based on a game famous for its gruesomeness.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 6 May 2026
Definition of gruesomeness
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.

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dreadfully
dreadfulness
dreading
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Cite this Entry

“Dreadfulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dreadfulness. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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