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grotesque

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noun

Synonym Chooser

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

The words bizarre and fantastic are common synonyms of grotesque. While all three words mean "conceived, made, or carried out without adherence to truth or reality," grotesque may apply to what is conventionally ugly but artistically effective or it may connote ludicrous awkwardness or incongruity often with sinister or tragic overtones.

grotesque statues on the cathedral
though grieving, she made a grotesque attempt at a smile

When could bizarre be used to replace grotesque?

In some situations, the words bizarre and grotesque are roughly equivalent. However, bizarre applies to the sensationally strange and implies violence of contrast or incongruity of combination.

a bizarre medieval castle in the heart of a modern city

When would fantastic be a good substitute for grotesque?

The words fantastic and grotesque are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fantastic may connote extravagance in conception or ingenuity of decorative invention.

dreamed up fantastic rumors

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 grotesque
Adjective
After all, these rich, beautiful people couldn't possibly see past Dee's uncontrollable urge to panic-gag and Charlie's uncontrollable desire to shove grotesque amounts of cheese in his mouth, right? Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 10 July 2025 In it, guests will venture into Art the Clown’s Funhouse, which first appeared in Terrifier 2, encountering Art’s grotesque kills from the franchise, gleefully displayed for all to see. Tom Tapp, Deadline, 10 July 2025
Noun
Winifred, the protagonist of this Victorian-era grotesque, takes a position as a governess at an English manor. The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025 His early short films, such as Six Men Getting Sick (1967) and The Grandmother (1970), showcased his talent for blending the grotesque with the beautiful, setting the stage for his groundbreaking debut feature, Eraserhead (1977). Darryn King, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grotesque
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grotesque
Adjective
  • The brands that stand out aren’t louder—they’re the ones willing to hand something over.
    Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Attempt to frighten away coyotes by making loud noises (e.g., shouting, air horn) and acting aggressively (e.g., waving your arms, throwing sticks, spraying with a hose).
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • In 1996, Cantor died, and Lutnick, after an ugly succession battle with Cantor’s widow, Iris, took control.
    Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 21 July 2025
  • In 1965 Martin got into an ugly battle with President Lyndon B. Johnson.
    Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Noun
  • The two-day family-friendly affair has a lineup of exciting events, including a chili cook-off and a monster lake plunge, plus the chance to try your hand at cross-country skiing, tubing, or snowmobiling at Beaver Creek Lodge in Garden City.
    Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2025
  • The enormous bones and monster jaws, the ridged backs and barbed tails.
    Clare Sestanovich, New Yorker, 13 July 2025
Adjective
  • The harsh reality is this: not all cell phone forensic extractions are created equal, and the most important evidence for trucking cases on the smartphone will be gone in days or weeks.
    Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
  • Late-night talk shows across the board are facing the harsh reality that declines in ad revenue can’t make up for burgeoning production costs.
    Liam Reilly, CNN Money, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • Luthor combats Superman through a combination of science and technology — injecting nanobot GPS trackers into Superman’s bloodstream — using methods that recall the hideous Covid manipulation.
    Armond White, National Review, 11 July 2025
  • The dark edge in Bushnell’s writing reflects less a brave new world than a world that is the hideous extension of the old one.
    Alice Bolin June 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • High-end grotesqueries out of Fellini or Visconti would have been more apt.
    Alex Ross, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
  • By contrast, Doom: The Dark Ages flings the player back into the dark ages to witness a war between two factions that look like a low-rent knock-off imitation of series like Warhammer — grotesqueries and all.
    Kazuma Hashimoto, Rolling Stone, 31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • On the set of the new Prime Video series back in March, the juxtaposition is jarring.
    EW.com, EW.com, 15 July 2025
  • Rather than relying on a post-credits scene to set up DaCosta's film, Boyle opted instead for a tonally jarring final act to his movie.
    Eliana Dockterman, Time, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • Smears on non-sensor areas of the tiara are like bug debris on your hood, aesthetically unpleasing but not harmful.
    Eric Tegler, Popular Mechanics, 1 Oct. 2019
  • His side's inability to finish off the game against Burnley on the other hand was very unpleasing.
    SI.com, SI.com, 1 Feb. 2018

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Cite this Entry

“Grotesque.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grotesque. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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