GROTESQUE Synonyms: 170 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

grotesque 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of grotesque

as in loud

disagreeable to one's aesthetic or artistic sense the gaudy, overdecorated interior of the gambling casino was just too grotesque for my taste

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in ugly

unpleasant to look at that bloody Halloween mask is grotesque

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

grotesque

2 of 2

noun

grō-ˈtesk

as in monster

a strange or horrible and often frightening creature a gallery of grotesques from some horror movie

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

In their knockout-round street fight against Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Americans proved delightfully grotesque. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 2 July 2026 The nearly dialogue-free story revels in grotesque creatures and nightmarish vignettes in an underworld setting. — Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026

Noun

The script, by Ed Solomon, treats the Sklar siblings as cardboard grotesques—heartless, talentless, united in their loathing of a father who loathes them right back. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026 Indeed, compared with the realistically creased faces and hangdog stares of the Cubs, the Boston fans behind them are closer to grotesques, an inhuman crush of caricatures. — Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grotesque

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grotesque

Adjective

Fedorov’s removal came as Russian missiles struck Kyiv early Thursday, with loud explosions heard in the Ukrainian capital just hours before British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was set to arrive.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
Because of the mechanical complexity required to pull the large film stock through these cameras, the cameras are known to be notoriously expensive, heavy, and loud.

— Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 July 2026

Definition of loud

Adjective

The deals defined one of the ugliest chapters of Russia’s transition to capitalism in the 1990s.

— Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026
Leaders must be grounded in self-awareness and their influence, leaning into emotional intelligence and humility; recognizing that different styles shape how people show up amid many influences, good, bad and ugly.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of ugly

Adjective

The couple made sure the design included a basement where the kids could spend time, better insulation to handle South Dakota’s harsh weather and plenty of storage — all features their previous home lacked.

— Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026
Those are some of the harsh conditions that detainees in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody described experiencing in recent weeks at the Federal Detention Center, a Bureau of Prisons facility located in a concrete tower in downtown Miami.

— Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026

Definition of harsh

Adjective

The ace endured a rocky start punctuated by a hideous 11-run blowup in Minnesota and has now been sidelined with a shoulder injury since April 26.

— Mac Cerullo, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2026
Everyone's favorite hideous ogre and delusional donkey are finally reunited.

— Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2026

Definition of hideous

Adjective

The pacing is more frenetic, the narration more biting, the flashbacks more jarring, and the comedowns much harsher.

— Hannah Giorgis Yohannes, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026
While the 4-1 score was a bit jarring, no one should have been surprised for the USMNT to get outclassed by the Belgians.

— Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of jarring

Adjective

The remarks not only referred to the aesthetics of the game – tedious matches devoid of skillful merit that were unpleasing to watch.

— Cesar R. Torres, The Conversation, 26 May 2026
Usually a team of elegant offense, Michigan instead clanked 13 triples off the rim and relied on its inside defensive ferocity to win a game nearly as aesthetically unpleasing as UConn’s 53-41 win over Butler in 2011.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026

Definition of unpleasing

Adjective

Deer-Proof Your Garden To keep your flowers from being gobbled up by deer—one of the most heartbreaking of all garden misfortunes—choose flowers that people find glorious and deer find disgusting.

— Mary Alice Russell, Southern Living, 13 July 2026
Where critics see disgusting piles of stuff, hoarders see more.

— Shivali H. Patra, Mercury News, 8 July 2026

Definition of disgusting

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“Grotesque.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grotesque. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of grotesque

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noun

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