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hellish

adjective

Definition of hellishnext
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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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 hellish As a result, almost every local government would face hellish decisions — weighing cuts to emergency services like police and fire against libraries, recreational programs and senior centers. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026 But as the episode closes out on another flash-forward to Joe’s captivity, we’re reminded that the plan of escape from this hellish timeline only throws her deeper into its clutches. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 16 Aug. 2026 Fortunately, Des Moines resident Sydney Marshall shared some non-hellish tips before the tournament began. — Kate Kealey, Des Moines Register, 15 Aug. 2026 The comedy of errors that follows as Ina attempts to solve the nation’s problems, from traffic congestion to energy crisis, doubles as a critique of the despotic regime and the tumult of living in such hellish times. — Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hellish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hellish
  1. horrible
  2. awful
  3. dreadful
  4. hideous
  5. sickening
Adjective
  • Doubs had a horrible debut in the league’s season opener last week against the Seattle Seahawks.
    — Daniel Popper, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • By the time of the horrible accident in 1829, the deodand was on its way out.
    — Amelia Soth, JSTOR Daily, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of horrible
Adjective
  • The Colts got whacked by the Ravens, and their new-look defense was awful.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 20 Sep. 2026
  • In one respect, John Harbaugh seems to have brought winning football back to New York New Jersey Stadium; conversely, the Cowboys’ defense is sufficiently awful to make even the lowliest opponent look like a contender.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of awful
Adjective
  • Much of that came in a dreadful first half, where the Bills scored touchdowns on their first four possessions and the Lions' defense looked incapable of stopping anything.
    — Christian Romo, Freep.com, 18 Sep. 2026
  • But that’s no excuse for the Rams’ dreadful performance on offense against the 49ers.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of dreadful
Adjective
  • Another reason to feel supreme confidence in this team’s juggernaut potential is that Chicago’s defense appears to be just as hideous as the fantasy community had hoped.
    — Andy Behrens, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Three seconds later, I was surrounded by hideous monsters who were probably nice kids before the local NBC news devoted the feature story on their prime-time show Weekend to an in-depth study of English punk.
    — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of hideous
Adjective
  • That is one of the most shocking moments of the series, apart from some of the twists and turns towards the end, and probably the most sickening.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Everyone felt the sickening harsh reality that this had happened on our sovereign soil and that it was meant to be an affront to everyone who felt pride in being an American.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of sickening

Browse Nearby Words

hellions
hellish
hellishness
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Cite this Entry

“Hellish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hellish. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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