Synonyms of ghastly

ghastly

adjective

ˈgast-lē 

1

as in gruesome

extremely disturbing or repellent

a ghastly murder that shocked even hard-bitten detectives

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in intense

extreme in degree, power, or effect

I'm afraid that there's been a ghastly misunderstanding

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

3

as in terrifying

causing fear

a ghastly crime that made local residents afraid to go out at night

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word ghastly different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of ghastly are grisly, gruesome, lurid, and macabre. While all these words mean "horrifying and repellent in appearance or aspect," ghastly suggests the terrifying aspects of corpses and ghosts.

a ghastly accident

How do grisly and gruesome relate to one another, in the sense of ghastly?

Both grisly and gruesome suggest additionally the results of extreme violence or cruelty.

an unusually grisly murder

suffered a gruesome death

How are the words lurid and gruesome related as synonyms of ghastly?

Lurid adds to gruesome the suggestion of shuddering fascination with violent death and especially with murder.

the lurid details of a crime

When might macabre be a better fit than ghastly?

Although the words macabre and ghastly have much in common, macabre implies a morbid preoccupation with the physical aspects of death.

a macabre tale of premature burial

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ghastly

Avoiding vulnerability comes with ghastly consequences. — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 8 June 2026

He's described as a dead ringer for Nicholas Cage's ghastly villain in Longlegs, and there Elliott sits at a bus stop, looking as freakish as ever. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 6 June 2026

The brisk, nasty chill cast by the film may prove divisive; ditto its unapologetically ghastly characters. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 4 June 2026

From a certain perspective, the traps that Ibsen had laid for his characters were hilariously well made, and the one character who got the ghastly humor within the play itself was Hedda. — Jonathan Franzen, New Yorker, 1 June 2026