1
as in terrifying
causing fear
a dreadful hurricane
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in awful
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment
a dreadful performance of a beautiful piece of music
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in horrific
extremely disturbing or repellent
dreadful news of a crime wave in the neighborhood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
the dreadful heat of the desert
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in sheer
having no exceptions or restrictions
made a dreadful mess of his first marriage
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in horror
the quality of inspiring intense dread or dismay
the dreadfulness of an oncoming avalanche can scarcely be described
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dreadful
Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2025
Fedde was one of the lone bright spots from last season’s dreadful White Sox team.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2025
Those dreadful days of yesteryear have been put in the rearview mirror once and for all.
—Danny Ventura, Boston Herald, 10 May 2025
However, there are a few good ideas buried under the weight of poor execution, lousy technology, dreadful marketing, steep pricing, or just merely something being ahead of its time.
—ArsTechnica, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dreadful
Adjective
Following a dreadful 9-31 campaign in 2024, the team decided to fire Latricia Trammell and rehire in place of Greg Bibb, the current Wings President and ex-general manager.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2025
Fedde was one of the lone bright spots from last season’s dreadful White Sox team.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2025
Those dreadful days of yesteryear have been put in the rearview mirror once and for all.
—Danny Ventura, Boston Herald, 10 May 2025
However, there are a few good ideas buried under the weight of poor execution, lousy technology, dreadful marketing, steep pricing, or just merely something being ahead of its time.
—ArsTechnica, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dreadful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dreadful
Adjective
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May has been equally terrifying for Ukrainian civilians.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
27 May 2025
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As the mysterious contract killer Vincent, Cruise brings his usual on-screen qualities — strict professionalism, precise physicality, ruthless persistence — but turns them on their head to embody a terrifying, amoral murderer.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
24 May 2025
Adjective
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The downsides are that DEET smells awful, is oily, and can damage anything with plastic in it, like synthetic clothing and camping gear.—
Kristin Canning,
Wired News,
21 May 2025
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The name itself isn’t awful, but actions have consequences.—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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Abuse Of Power: Season 1 (May 19) Long-running ID series American Monster enters a new chapter with Abuse of Power, a long-form series that takes on cases where horrific crimes and scandals were covered up and disposed of by authority figures.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
16 May 2025
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Sheriff’s officials released footage that showed the horrific attack.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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Yet the overall focus is on the utopian community orbiting around the intense figurehead.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
19 May 2025
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Biden's physical and mental fitness has been the subject of intense scrutiny during and since his time in office, with questions about the former president's age and well-being ultimately forcing him to abandon his 2024 reelection bid.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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Most advice about LinkedIn growth focuses on sheer numbers.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
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Some of music’s biggest names (and harshest critics) have marveled at the sheer range of Darin’s work, which spanned everything from jazz, swing and pop to folk and country.—
Jordan Runtagh,
People.com,
22 May 2025
Noun
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In a classic horror premise (a school dance in the ’80s, no less), a killer is picking off Shadyside High’s prom-queen candidates one by one.—
Savannah Salazar,
Vulture,
23 May 2025
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Signature Entertainment has acquired the U.K. and Irish rights to horror film Eye for an Eye from HanWay Films, The Hollywood Reporter can exclusively reveal.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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There’s no doubt that Lewis, abandoned as a baby by his parents, has done some horrible stuff.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
26 May 2025
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What happened to Simone as a child is horrible, and in her brain, she is therefore absolved of having anything to do with her father.—
Lauren Coates,
Variety,
24 May 2025
Adjective
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The birds' droppings end up on the ground and windows below, creating an ugly scene for staff, branch patrons and passersby walking in the River Market District.—
Joseph Flaherty,
Arkansas Online,
23 May 2025
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Compare the first half of Season 15 to Jodie Whittaker’s last outing as the Doctor, and things get uglier.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dreadful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dreadful. Accessed 30 May. 2025.
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