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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
Charlie's sudden, grotesque exit becomes the catalyst for the rest of the film, dragging her family down a relentless tailspin of grief (and ancestral demons). James Mercadante, EW.com, 23 July 2025 The item, described by witnesses as grotesque and alarming, was found at a bus stop near the entrance of the ARCO/AMPM station on Bear Valley Road in Victorville, and reported to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department (SBCSD). Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 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
  • Noise level Pet fountains are never completely silent, but some are louder than others.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Given its height and expanses of marble, the dining hall is very, very loud at dinner, the Green Room less so, and by nine o’clock quite comfortable.
    John Mariani, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • In the ugliest defeat of a season belatedly compiling them, the New York Mets blew an early 6-0 lead Wednesday to fall to the Atlanta Braves 11-6.
    Tim Britton, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
  • The Navy must address the ugly fact that, despite all the security America can provide, a diverse array of enemies, rivals and criminals can shut the Panama Canal down at virtually any time.
    Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Second-year defensive tackle Isaiah Iton enjoyed an up-and-down day, jumping offsides during individual and team drills, notching a run stuff and monster win in 1-on-1 pass rush.
    Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 7 Aug. 2025
  • The luxury, 387-room hotel, located in Tokyo's Roppongi Hills complex, is collaborating with the Nintendo, the parent company of Pokémon, to give its fans the ultimate respite this summer: a few nights surrounded by their favorite pocket monsters.
    Jalyn Robinson, Travel + Leisure, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The report didn’t elaborate on that treatment but studies and surveys have previously highlighted the military’s notoriously harsh conditions.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
  • After weeks of acrimony, concern and harsh statements, the dispute over who will control the River Forest Civic Center building at 8020 W. Madison seems to be headed toward a resolution.
    Bob Skolnik, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The last two decades spent without a Devil Wears Prada sequel started to feel a little bit like enduring a 20-year hideous skirt convention.
    EW.com, EW.com, 28 July 2025
  • Friday’s opening hours were hideous as the sellers from Thursday finished.
    Jim Cramer, CNBC, 27 July 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
  • Advocates like Diane Santos, already raw from Lamont’s singlehanded move to prevent OPCs, said the announcement was jarring.
    Katy Golvala, Hartford Courant, 4 Aug. 2025
  • If you’re only seen Dylan at a theater these past few years, the atmosphere of the Outlaw Festival will be quite jarring.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 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 21 Aug. 2025.

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