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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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Recent Examples of hideous
All our buildings are these hideous rectangles.
—
Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Unfortunately, their appearance is so hideous to ordinary flesh-and-blood creatures that looking at a Medusan is liable to induce madness and death.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 2 Apr. 2026
The noise is hideous, but the pollution is much worse.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
But once, my roommate had hung this hideous rack of dusty old spices above the stove.
—Alyse Whitney, Saveur, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hideous
Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Unfortunately, their appearance is so hideous to ordinary flesh-and-blood creatures that looking at a Medusan is liable to induce madness and death.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 2 Apr. 2026
The noise is hideous, but the pollution is much worse.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
But once, my roommate had hung this hideous rack of dusty old spices above the stove.
—Alyse Whitney, Saveur, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hideous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hideous
Adjective
-
The scene Tuesday was beyond ugly.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
8 May 2026
-
Culturally, the word is synonymous with ugly, not just for the ways lesbians defy traditional gender roles in the popular imagination but for their disinclination toward and unavailability to men.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
But some of our most gruesome memories as a band are also our favorites.—
Katie Gavin,
Time,
8 May 2026
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The truth the jury learned was far more gruesome.—
Nicole Russell,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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After a largely grotesque first quarter offensive for Minnesota in Game 3 on Friday night, Anthony Edwards lit a match that set Target Center ablaze.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
9 May 2026
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The description went even further, saying that pregnancy is also perverse and grotesque.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
This administration has unleashed a disgusting anti-immigrant agenda.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
Let women be monstrous, disgusting, angry, feral creatures!—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
The legislation followed horrific flooding in Central Texas on July 4 that resulted in 25 campers and two counselors losing their lives at Camp Mystic.—
Jack Fink,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
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There are plenty of sad stories associated with the horrific fiery crash.—
Paul Eisenberg,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
Adjective
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Usually a team of elegant offense, Michigan instead clanked 13 triples off the rim and relied on its inside defensive ferocity to win a game nearly as aesthetically unpleasing as UConn’s 53-41 win over Butler in 2011.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2026
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Rosemary makes one of the best companion plants for apple trees because of its strong scent that's unpleasing to critters looking to snack on a juicy red apple.—
Ashlyn Needham,
The Spruce,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
That is a really horrible thing.—
David Chiu,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
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The Virginia Supreme Court has just struck down the Democrats’ horrible gerrymander.—
Justin Papp,
CNBC,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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But early polls have showed Schlossberg parlaying his Kennedy aura, name recognition and attention-grabbing social media chops into a shocking lead, with Bores also in the mix.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2026
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Six permanent outdoor works are dotted around the property, including a large rocket by Polish artist Goshka Macuga and a shocking pink tree, commissioned specifically for the island, by Pamela Rosenkranz.—
Fiona Sinclair Scott,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hideous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hideous. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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