as in horrible
of, resembling, or befitting hell
We've been having hellish weather lately. The battlefield was a hellish scene of death and destruction.
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Recent Examples of hellish
The latter in particular has a gorgeous overground section matched with a hellish underworld stretch, the blending of which make for some of Nintendo’s finest graphical work, with a masterpiece of a soundtrack to boot.
—
Ryan Gaur, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2025
The overall hellish conditions have prompted as many asfive million Venezuelans to flee their homes in recent years, often heading toward neighboring countries on foot, experts say.
—Kevin G. Hall, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Akatsuki spent a decade orbiting the planet and was well beyond its design lifetime when its mission ended, giving unprecedented looks at the hellish atmosphere of Venus.
—Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Come for the downward spiral of hellish despair, stay for macabre goat Black Phillip and the ominous climax.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hellish
Ryan Gaur, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2025
The overall hellish conditions have prompted as many asfive million Venezuelans to flee their homes in recent years, often heading toward neighboring countries on foot, experts say.
—Kevin G. Hall, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Akatsuki spent a decade orbiting the planet and was well beyond its design lifetime when its mission ended, giving unprecedented looks at the hellish atmosphere of Venus.
—Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Come for the downward spiral of hellish despair, stay for macabre goat Black Phillip and the ominous climax.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hellish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hellish
Adjective
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Are there horrible smells wafting around?—
Clio Chang,
Curbed,
7 Jan. 2026
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Jimmy Kimmel was horrible, and some of these people.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Kel’el was awful against Jay Huff in Indiana, and albeit in limited minutes, nonetheless had only one rebound at Oklahoma City.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Jan. 2026
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One particularly awful story comes from an 81-year-old Alhambra widower who lost $720,000 to a cryptocurrency scam, her entire life savings.—
Caroline Melear,
Oc Register,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The decision comes after two dreadful performances by the Chargers’ offense in consecutive one-and-done playoff losses.—
Los Angeles Times staff,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Jan. 2026
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That understanding doesn’t take the sting out of the dreadful reality of losing in bunches.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Such jars of moldy fruit were probably fairly hideous to consume.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
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The Rodents of Unusual Size that attack Westley in a swamp work because they are played by small men in rodent suits, rather than coolly conjured from pixels; their deliberate artifice is the thrill, and Reiner provided the voice for their hideous snorts.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
17 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Jin Shin has come across some monster potholes over the last couple of weeks, including one in Koreatown that rattled his car with a sickening thump and another near the airport where its depth was obscured by water.—
Alex Wigglesworth,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Jan. 2026
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Oil is a 20th century energy source, outmoded and responsible for sickening and killing millions of people with the potential to kill millions more.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The shocking decision sends ripples through the Washington program and the college football transfer portal.—
The Athletic College Football Staff,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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There are some great twists and turns leading to a shocking but very satisfying ending.—
Will Harris,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hellish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hellish. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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