Definition of luridnext
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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 But though Marcloid has continued to refine her extravagant, gonzo, and lurid sound—the blast beats and guttural shrieks slot into the Tupperware synths and call-waiting arpeggios with more supple flexibility than ever before—Lavender Networks is still far from commercial. Reed Jackson, SPIN, 8 May 2026 My friends had made the man sound an ancient mariner, an invalid widower, near dead from a lurid litany of injuries. Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026 The Cascio’s lawsuit paints a lurid picture of Jackson giving the siblings drugs and alcohol and exposing them to child pornography, all to help facilitate the abuse and manipulation. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026 The electricity of this Ivanov can sometimes give it a lurid, Frankenstein-ish quality, and the unabashed intensity works. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lurid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lurid
Adjective
  • The men escape, but their frantic exit leads them through the gruesome Terminus food-supply dungeon, where fresh corpses hang on meathooks.
    EW Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 25 June 2026
  • With two gruesome losses, meanwhile, Tunisia — Netherlands’ foe Thursday at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium — has been eliminated already and cannot advance to the knockout round, no matter the outcome in KC.
    Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 24 June 2026
Adjective
  • Opponents of the proposal want the county to consider different locations for the park site, arguing the project may harm a variety of native species to the area, including the western spadefoot toad and pallid bats.
    Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2026
  • While disrupting the business of an American multinational company may seem a pallid response to the destruction of an Iranian primary school where more than a hundred children were killed, such asymmetric attacks in the physical and digital realms have been a feature of this conflict.
    Sue Halpern, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The small island nation made its World Cup debut this year with a sensational game against Spain, one of the countries considered a favorite to win the tournament.
    Doha Madani, NBC news, 26 June 2026
  • In the evenings we were treated to sensational auroral displays.
    Marc Terziev, Outdoor Life, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • What should have been a night of celebration and community reflection for Juneteenth was shattered by a horrific act of violence.
    Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026
  • First of all, the suffering of the Iranian people has been horrific in the context of this unnecessary conflict.
    ABC News, ABC News, 21 June 2026
Adjective
  • Located on the northeast coast near Willikies, this peaceful area offers wide stretches of pale sand, clear shallow water, and easy access to some of Antigua’s most beautiful coastline.
    Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
  • Too much sunlight, normally only a problem in areas with extremely hot climates, may cause plants to bleach out and look pale, which may be mistaken for yellowing.
    Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2026
Adjective
  • It is filled with a plump and juicy cod fish and drenched with Mexican crema, pico de gallo and cabbage.
    Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 June 2026
  • Craving a sweet juicy Georgia peach grown on a farm, but the choices in some stores might be still hard as a rock?
    Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • The 29-year-old began her comeback Saturday at the American Classic in Champlin, Minnesota, just days after announcing her shocking return to the sport.
    Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
  • Cape Verde earned three draws in the group stage – the shocking Spain result, running with Uruguay in the second match and ending up in a scoreless draw with Saudi Arabia in Houston on Friday.
    Ben Church, CNN Money, 27 June 2026
Adjective
  • Bringing new teenage characters into the Factory, with Kit Connor already announced as lead voice cast, the film appears to be a fast-paced, thrilling and colorful adventure for young audiences, and got enthusiastic feedback from Annecy’s crowds.
    Kevin Giraud, Variety, 24 June 2026
  • Lasichanh sported colorful sneakers for her footwear, carried a small Louis Vuitton bag and wore delicate jewelry pieces to complete her casually bent attire.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 24 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Lurid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lurid. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.

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