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
  • Her film credits include Legion (2010), the remake of Straw Dogs (2011), and the supernatural horror movie The Mortuary Assistant (2026).
    — Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Aug. 2026
  • In 21 months of these meetings, not one investor has expressed interest in funding a dark, violent horror or thriller.
    — Daren Smith, IndieWire, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of horror
Noun
  • Despite initially losing consciousness herself as a result of the explosion, Maria still vividly remembered the atrocity when recounting it to the Museum of Civilian Voices.
    — Emile Nuh, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
  • The finale, which opens with Max pausing to observe a small courtesy before committing an atrocity on Crystal’s houseboat, closes with the Bowdens reaching for ordinary family life after surviving an atrocity of their own.
    — JP Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 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
  • 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
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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Cite this Entry

“Dreadfulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dreadfulness. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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