1
2
3

Synonym Chooser

How is the word lurid different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of lurid are ghastly, grisly, gruesome, and macabre. While all these words mean "horrifying and repellent in appearance or aspect," lurid adds to gruesome the suggestion of shuddering fascination with violent death and especially with murder.

the lurid details of a crime

When might ghastly be a better fit than lurid?

While the synonyms ghastly and lurid are close in meaning, ghastly suggests the terrifying aspects of corpses and ghosts.

a ghastly accident

How do grisly and gruesome relate to one another, in the sense of lurid?

Both grisly and gruesome suggest additionally the results of extreme violence or cruelty.

an unusually grisly murder
suffered a gruesome death

Where would macabre be a reasonable alternative to lurid?

The synonyms macabre and lurid are sometimes interchangeable, but macabre implies a morbid preoccupation with the physical aspects of death.

a macabre tale of premature burial

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 lurid The outcome isn’t as fondly remembered as other King adaptations like Carrie or The Shining, but using the familiar zombie structure to comment on the universal fear and melancholy over death makes Pet Sematary a thoughtful, lurid affair. Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 18 June 2025 Sequel films in the series grew even more lurid, and starred Alyssa Milano, Jaime Pressly, and Miriam McDonald. Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 12 June 2025 On another work under way in her studio, the figure was barely visible: a lurid ear, parted lips, a nostril. Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 9 June 2025 The director Doris Wishman was a renegade: a woman who made lurid exploitation films at a time when American underground cinema was a man’s playground. Erik Piepenburg, New York Times, 2 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for lurid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lurid
Adjective
  • But the gruesome truth remains — more than 120 are people are dead, including children.
    Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 11 July 2025
  • Other all-original haunted houses will include Jason Universe, which takes guests back to the summer camp where, one Friday the 13th, the gruesome legend was born.
    Tom Tapp, Deadline, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • Robert Vaughn is a particularly pallid villain, and the movie’s case against computers, uh, hasn’t aged too well.
    Tim Grierson, Vulture, 11 July 2025
  • Rickman’s Snape was almost cartoonish with his hawk nose and long, straight black hair and pallid skin.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
Adjective
  • The 6-foot-4 athlete was in transition all by herself and threw down a sensational dunk.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2025
  • There’s also plenty of options for serious relaxing and sensational dining.
    Leslie Kelly, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • Family recounts parents' efforts to save children The family of the two children who died in the flooding recounted in a GoFundMe page the horrific moment floodwaters swept the young siblings away and the desperate attempt by their parents to save their lives.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 11 July 2025
  • California homeowner’s insurance premiums were already rising before the horrific Southern California wildfires in January.
    Scott Cohn, CNBC, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • In one scene captured on video, several bloodied children, including a girl in a pale pink princess dress, along with her twin brother, were piled onto a donkey cart to be taken to Al-Aqsa Hospital.
    Aurora Almendral, NBC news, 10 July 2025
  • Three massive, tree-like sculptures made of pale wood rise to the ceiling, dividing the room from the inviting bar.
    Irene S. Levine, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • Just grab a few extra napkins and chow down quickly before the soft potato buns give way to the juicy, saucy, beautiful mess between them.
    Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 14 July 2025
  • Weight: Compare two melons of similar size, and opt for the one that feels the heaviest for the sweetest, juiciest center.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • Bonnie came to her father's defense in May 2020 after Chapman shared the shocking news of his engagement to girlfriend Francie just 10 months after Beth’s death.
    Skyler Caruso, People.com, 21 July 2025
  • In a TikTok video, mother Mackenzie Dodd summed up the whiplash of noticing something minor about her newborn baby, only to discover a shocking diagnosis.
    Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 2025
Adjective
  • Shop slingback flats, leather Mary Janes, colorful suede sneakers, and more of this season’s biggest trends while saving up to 70 percent off.
    Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 20 July 2025
  • The vibrant, colorful buildings captured the lively and diverse spirit of the Caribbean.
    Ronny Maye, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lurid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lurid. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on lurid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!