GNARLY Synonyms: 99 Similar and Opposite Words

gnarly

adjective

Definition of gnarly

slang

as in ugly

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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 gnarly And there is some of all that in War as well — including a scene evoking a particularly gnarly moment from the Olivia Wilde-Jason Sudeikis break-up. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026 Walk through the peripheral forest, and gnarly bundles of sticks and grass hang from the trees above — lifted there from floods months earlier. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 20 Sep. 2026 In the acquisition space, the Nats traded Jake Bennett, who sits 93 and relies on deception and command, to the Red Sox for Luis Perales, who sits 99 with a gnarly splitter. — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026 As a rock star, Chrissie Hynde has always been a bit of a paradox — gnarly but cerebral, ferocious yet guarded. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gnarly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gnarly

Adjective

The league and its players’ union are heading for an ugly fight, years in the making.

— Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 28 Oct. 2026
Cooling plates manage heat during normal operation, while passive barriers and electrical isolation are designed to contain the ugly edge cases that Beta’s testing process intentionally triggers.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of ugly

Adjective

In his latest romp, corporate greed, lovable cows and hideous monsters converge in Richland, Ohio.

— Sam Macdonald, Scientific American, 28 Oct. 2026
The greatest player in the world was reduced to the role of supporting actor by Stan Wawrinka, who delivered a masterclass of a performance in possibly the most hideous shorts ever seen on a tennis court.

— Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of hideous

Adjective

Not only has the gimmick run stale, but her insistence on upping the ante year after year, creating costumes that are increasingly bizarre and disgusting, is a threat to us all.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2026
The actions of their fans, especially their supporter group, was disgusting.

— Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of disgusting

Adjective

Given French’s loathsome history, Abbott and others in the party establishment worked hard to keep him from winning the Republican nomination, Rice noted.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026
Kraus’ paean to peace is written in the most luxurious and loathsome language imaginable — in one very long and fractured sentence.

— The Know, Denver Post, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of loathsome

Adjective

Australia resumed 3-1 and endured a horrid first hour, losing another three wickets.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
The last thing Deion Sanders wants is for this to snowball into another horrid season, with a select few players not taking things seriously in the locker room.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of horrid

Adjective

The German tuner, known for turning luxe cars from Lamborghini to Bentley into absurd, beastly powerhouses, has teamed up with the folks at Sunreef on a new 55-foot cat.

— Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 28 July 2026
Yet Corsini transforms his shocking premise into a beastly and beautiful character study, one that’s smartly supported by a mostly Italian ensemble and truly revelatory second antagonist.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 24 July 2026

Definition of beastly

Adjective

Violent mobs carrying Palestinian flags clashed with police, looted hundreds of stores, and flooded social media with over 1,300 hateful anti-Semitic posts.

— Staff, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
The Illinois High School Association is responding as an investigation continues into hateful comments against Evanston Township High School students who were part of marching band during a football game at the new Ryan Field last week.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of hateful

Browse Nearby Words

G-men

gnarly

gnash

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Style

“Gnarly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gnarly. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of gnarly

adjective

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