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
This is going to be a hellish legislative session — again — for many Florida lawmakers.
—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
Then, in the distance, a camera flash lit up a hellish sight—wreathed in the smoke from village fires, a great black pipe organ, as tall as the houses on either side, heaved and rolled across the square.
—Veronique Greenwood, Time, 21 Dec. 2025
Schedules of actors suddenly became hellish.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 30 Nov. 2025
This opening is riveting, but that’s just the beginning of this exciting novel, which follows as Smith is forced to navigate a hellish legal system in the unrealistic hope of clearing his name, all while reckoning with the public response to the mysterious death of his roommate and best friend.
—Ana Osorno, Them., 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hellish
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
Then, in the distance, a camera flash lit up a hellish sight—wreathed in the smoke from village fires, a great black pipe organ, as tall as the houses on either side, heaved and rolled across the square.
—Veronique Greenwood, Time, 21 Dec. 2025
Schedules of actors suddenly became hellish.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 30 Nov. 2025
This opening is riveting, but that’s just the beginning of this exciting novel, which follows as Smith is forced to navigate a hellish legal system in the unrealistic hope of clearing his name, all while reckoning with the public response to the mysterious death of his roommate and best friend.
—Ana Osorno, Them., 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hellish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hellish
Adjective
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The killing and execution of Renee Good and Alex Pretti and the horrible lies perpetuated by this government are abhorrent.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Jan. 2026
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Someone should start talking about improving the state’s horrible inability to attract fellow Americans.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Some offer a peek at my encounters backstage while waiting for the curtain to come up on me, while others pull back the curtain to share the raw truth about one of the most awful experiences in my private life.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
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And finally… The death of seven PAOK supporters in a road accident last week was an unspeakably awful tragedy, and one that will hang over the club for a long time.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The Pats were a dreadful 4-13 each of the previous two seasons.—
Greg Cote
January 26,
Miami Herald,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Many travelers at Detroit Metro Airport are packing some extra patience with much uncertainty at the gate due to the nationwide dreadful winter weather.—
Julia Avant,
CBS News,
25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
That this hideous crime was executed by 15-year-old young adults is horrifying.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
31 Jan. 2026
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Not all of whom are entirely hideous.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Similarly the vulnerability of Nancy Guthrie, an elderly woman described as having mobility problems, as a possible victim of a violent crime, is sickening and deeply uncomfortable.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
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To many of those who knew what went on inside the structure, the spectacle was sickening.—
Gisela Salim-Peyer,
The Atlantic,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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As buried family secrets and small-town lies emerge, Courtney must decide who to trust before a shocking revelation changes everything.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
31 Jan. 2026
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Louisiana State Police announced on Saturday the capture of all eight inmates who escaped early Friday in a shocking East Carroll Parish jailbreak.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hellish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hellish. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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