hideous

adjective

ˈhi-dē-əs How to pronounce hideous (audio)
Definition of hideousnext
1
as in ugly
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment the hideous way in which she treated her maid after she discovered her ring was missing

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gruesome
extremely disturbing or repellent a hideous crime that could not be fully described in the newspapers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in grotesque
unpleasant to look at wearing a hideous Halloween mask that made the kids all jump with fright

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 hideous But then comes the ad, a full-screen photo of a hideous brown leather recliner. — Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 8 Oct. 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 These flashbacks betray where writer-director-cinematographer-editor Tsukamoto’s filmmaking interests really lie, which is in the gruesome recreation of hideous acts of barbarism and cruelty. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026 At this point in the operation, even formerly adorable homes begin to look hideous. — Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hideous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hideous
  1. ugly
  2. gruesome
  3. grotesque
  4. disgusting
  5. horrific
  6. unpleasing
  7. horrible
  8. shocking
Adjective
  • But the reason for this rather ugly framing device is that the team strives to educate the masses in the art of bankrobbing at the expense of being caught.
    — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Even when things got ugly under Carrick, the supporters chose to back the former midfielder, putting the blame firmly at the feet of the players and the club’s hierarchy.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of ugly
Adjective
  • Less than four minutes into the game, Apple Valley senior fullback Joseph Lopez suffered a gruesome leg injury and the game was delayed about 30 minutes for the medical response and on-field treatment.
    — Dan Arritt, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2026
  • In his Address at Gettysburg, President Lincoln transformed a gruesome battle into the raison d’être of a truly United States that for the first time in its history became a union.
    — Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of gruesome
Adjective
  • Indeed, Ebenezer feels essentially like a horror film for most of its running time, featuring jump scares, grotesque visuals, and enough ghostly creatures to fuel a season of American Horror Story.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Special effects makeup artist Mike Marino is responsible for Klum's outrageous outfits, including this year's grotesque severed hand.
    — Lauren Giella, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of grotesque
Adjective
  • Their fearless leader is the relentlessly disgusting, but equally brilliant Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman) who insults, cajoles, and gaslights his foot-dragging staff into feats of daring heroism.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Everyone starts tasting the varied, apparently disgusting, bottles.
    — Alice Burton, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of disgusting
Adjective
  • Teen details horrific ordeal Duarte met the 15-year-old when the girl was taking a stroll with her dog near a pool at the hotel, according to Duarte’s arrest report.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Short says despite Thursday night's horrific crime, RTD has done a lot to ensure the safety of their operators and passengers.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of horrific
Adjective
  • The identity of the unpleasing Lindsay Marriott’s slayer has no pressing interest.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026
  • The remarks not only referred to the aesthetics of the game – tedious matches devoid of skillful merit that were unpleasing to watch.
    — Cesar R. Torres, The Conversation, 26 May 2026
Definition of unpleasing
Adjective
  • Their monthlong travel by ship was under horrible conditions.
    — Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026
  • While the fire was horrible, Hong said some blessings have emerged from the tragedy.
    — Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of horrible
Adjective
  • And, like every other soap opera, this one appears to involve at least a dose of deception leading up to Huang’s shocking exit on Thursday.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 12 Nov. 2026
  • The differences with our own age are great, but the similarities are shocking.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of shocking

Browse Nearby Words

hideosity
hideous
hideousness
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Cite this Entry

“Hideous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hideous. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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