HELLISH Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

hellish

adjective

Definition of hellish

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 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 Even with the hellish conditions bearing down around them, the engineers were able to find moments of levity. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for hellish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hellish

Adjective

Much has been written about the power of artificial intelligence to improve life in myriad ways, but also about its truly horrible effects—now and going forward—if it isn’t managed properly.

— Nadine Hack, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026
But the horrible scenes that unfolded before him were incomparable.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of horrible

Adjective

But that’s no excuse for the Rams’ dreadful performance on offense against the 49ers.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
After a dreadful offensive start to his season, Devers has been one of the Giants’ few bright spots for months.

— Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 13 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

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hellions

hellish

hellishness

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“Hellish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hellish. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of hellish

adjective

Example Sentences

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