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ghastly

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

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Synonyms & Antonyms of ghastly

1 extremely disturbing or repellent

a ghastly murder that shocked even hard-bitten detectives

Synonyms for ghastly

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2 extreme in degree, power, or effect

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

Synonyms for ghastly

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stressed

Near Antonyms for ghastly

feeble,
weak

Antonyms for ghastly

3 causing fear

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

Synonyms for ghastly

Words Related to ghastly

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Frequently Asked Questions About ghastly

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