ghoulish

adjective

Definition of ghoulishnext
as in ghostly

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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
  1. ghostly
  2. spectral
  3. ghastly
  4. eerie
  5. spooky
  6. haunting
  7. creepy
  8. ghostlike
Adjective
  • Everything reached her from far away; her sensations were ghostly.
    — Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Roth asks in one, referencing the ghostly figure careening overhead.
    — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of ghostly
Adjective
  • Stars are arranged by spectral class; from hot to cool, the classes are O, B, A, F, G, K, M, L, T, and Y.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
  • 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
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
  • Meanwhile, moviegoers took to social media to share snaps of themselves waiting in line for hours outside their local cineplexes, hoping to score IMAX 70mm tickets for the eerie Frank Herbert adaptation.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026
  • And thanks to K-pop stars using the site as a photoshoot, TV series and music video backdrop, this eerie space has a new lease on life.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 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
  • The result is a haunting portrait of social collapse whose power is premised on the words and faces of survivors.
    — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 21 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
  • Mikkelsen is so charming and handsome and creepy and Will Graham pulls out all the stops.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Analog can be comforting or creepy, as in the vintage board game Tom and ‘William’ (Baltz) play in Episode 2.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of creepy
Adjective
  • Diners have toasted to him ever since, trading stories of feeling ghostlike brushes along their legs during Lowcountry meals.
    — Chelsea Brasted, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
Definition of ghostlike

Browse Nearby Words

ghoulies
ghoulish
ghoulishness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ghoulish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ghoulish. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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