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 titular vampire gang has formed a band, and when its members start to shred, the stage sinks down to create a mosh pit—a hellish underworld into which victims later drop.
—
Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026
In all, Amazon’s new feature is a hellish experiment in engineering just about the most disingenuous content imaginable.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 30 Apr. 2026
Its parking lot at the corner of Western Avenue and 8th Street in Koreatown equally hellish.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Agnes sits in a dark room where Commander Judd asks her questions as a bunch of men watch, their faces stacked on a big screen, like Hollywood Squares but hellish.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hellish
Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026
In all, Amazon’s new feature is a hellish experiment in engineering just about the most disingenuous content imaginable.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 30 Apr. 2026
Its parking lot at the corner of Western Avenue and 8th Street in Koreatown equally hellish.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Agnes sits in a dark room where Commander Judd asks her questions as a bunch of men watch, their faces stacked on a big screen, like Hollywood Squares but hellish.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hellish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hellish
Adjective
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The concept that menopause is this horrible phase of life goes back some time.—
Torie Bosch,
STAT,
23 May 2026
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Despite Christophe’s many efforts to escape his origins, Clichy never portrays his home front as a horrible place, but rather as a loving household torn apart by financial worry and alcoholism.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
Adjective
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Some predict ‘awful consequences’ However, the US has its own specialized network of hospitals that are highly equipped to treat Ebola patients that some experts say would be much better utilized.—
Jamie Gumbrecht,
CNN Money,
27 May 2026
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Lean says the experience had an awful effect on him, filling him with shame and a reluctance to direct again.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
27 May 2026
Adjective
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The old record of 51 degrees occurred five years ago during that dreadful Memorial Day weekend deluge.—
Terry Eliasen,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
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Looked great for 60 minutes on his second Villa debut in February, but has been dreadful for them ever since.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
Adjective
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Any idea on when this hideous barcode-design strip will be released?—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
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Such is a snarky line that Emily Blunt delivers as Emily Charlton in The Devil Wears Prada, a character who would rather faint than wear something hideous.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The concept of this many women vying for West is somewhat sickening to me.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
27 May 2026
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So united and powerful were these Indigenous people that some of their enemies started to get desperate, that whiff of anxiety taking on a sickening stench.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
Adjective
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As shocking as this slush fund is, it should best be understood as one more test for what the administration can get away with.—
The Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 May 2026
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Slaten endured a shocking meltdown, allowing a pair of two-run home runs that put the Twins ahead in Boston’s eventual 8-6 loss.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hellish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hellish. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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