GHOULISH Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

ghoulish

adjective

Definition of ghoulish

as in ghostly

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of ghoulish But my deepest, most ghoulish questions, no investigation could answer. — Literary Hub, 10 June 2026 The fear and horror is handled dramatically without becoming grisly or ghoulish. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 2 June 2026 Concept art for Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake shows the street party will include familiar Haunted Mansion characters like the cemetery caretaker, grave diggers, ballroom dancers and a few ghoulish ghosts. — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 2 June 2026 The ghoulish gathering is intended for attendees 17 and older. — Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for ghoulish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ghoulish

Adjective

Mops of ghostly streamers, some of them longer than my arm, were waving like tentacles atop layers of black muck.

— James Dinneen, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026
Roth asks in one, referencing the ghostly figure careening overhead.

— Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of ghostly

Adjective

Essentially a portable acoustic expert, SensorMAX continuously processes spectral energy profiles and data from up to eight subsurface sonobuoys simultaneously – doubling the feed capacity of legacy systems.

— David Szondy August 12, New Atlas, 13 Aug. 2026
The team computed 500 spectral points across the observed wavelength band, applying the transmission profile of the real interference filter and blurring the result to match the real telescope’s resolution.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of spectral

Adjective

Wilson was a ghastly 6 of 21 from the free-throw line and led all summer leaguers in turnovers despite only playing 110 minutes.

— John Hollinger, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Wilder’s work has since faced criticism for depicting some ghastly attitudes toward Native Americans.

— Judy Berman, Time, 9 July 2026

Definition of ghastly

Adjective

Then, after a series of eerie harbingers, the Platts discover the power and water in the house have shut off in the aftermath of an intense storm, and the atmosphere outside has turned unsettling and oddly tropical.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2026
In Greenwich Park, with views of the River Thames and central London, the sky turned an eerie gray as a sliver of light sat atop the moon like a hat.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of eerie

Adjective

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Lydia Deetz and the Deetz family offer a slightly spookier option for families looking beyond traditional matching costumes.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Flitting between deadpan sorrow and impassioned romance, Bridgers’ album is alternately spooky, hilarious, mysterious and sneakily moving.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of spooky

Adjective

There’s nothing more haunting than walking on those beautiful soundstages that are ghost towns.

— Antonio Ferme, Variety, 6 Aug. 2026
Despite lingering radiation, Pripyat draws photographers and history enthusiasts eager to witness one of the most complete—and haunting—portraits of a city abruptly frozen.

— Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 27 July 2026

Definition of haunting

Adjective

There’s also a quick flash of a creepy figure wearing a fluffy rabbit mask while holding a gun and standing next to a bridge with a skull painted on it.

— Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Aug. 2026
Long nozzle Most people would prefer to keep a healthy distance from creepy crawlies.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of creepy

Browse Nearby Words

ghoulies

ghoulish

ghoulishness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Ghoulish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ghoulish. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of ghoulish

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on ghoulish

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

oxymoron

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes