Synonyms of macabre

macabre

adjective

mə-ˈkäb 

as in gruesome

extremely disturbing or repellent

a macabre movie about animated corpses

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gruesome
• horrific
• shocking
• nightmare
• frightening
• horrifying
• horrible
• terrible
• terrifying
• grisly
• terrific
• hideous
• scary
• dreadful
• nightmarish
• awful
• ghastly
• sickening
• appalling
• lurid
• frightful
• horrid
• monstrous
• disgusting
• horrendous
• atrocious
• grewsome
• alarming
• grotesque
• fearful
• obscene
• ugly
• formidable
• repulsive
• revolting
• offensive
• loathsome
• dire
• repugnant
• heinous
• unspeakable
• intimidating
• bloodcurdling
• abhorrent
• forbidding
• odious
• disagreeable
• direful
• deplorable
• evil
• abominable
• fearsome
• gut-wrenching
• obnoxious
• distasteful
• vile
• hair-raising
• heart-stopping
• nauseating
• redoubtable
• noxious
• noisome
• unsightly
• foul

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• delightful
• pleasant
• attractive
• delicious
• appealing
• welcome
• enjoyable
• agreeable
• satisfying
• delectable
• pleasurable
• enticing
• pleasing
• inviting
• comforting
• soothing
• cheering

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of macabre are ghastly, grisly, gruesome, and lurid. While all these words mean "horrifying and repellent in appearance or aspect," macabre implies a morbid preoccupation with the physical aspects of death.

a macabre tale of premature burial

When would ghastly be a good substitute for macabre?

The synonyms ghastly and macabre are sometimes interchangeable, but ghastly suggests the terrifying aspects of corpses and ghosts.

a ghastly accident

How are the words grisly and gruesome related as synonyms of macabre?

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

an unusually grisly murder

suffered a gruesome death

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

Lurid adds to gruesome the suggestion of shuddering fascination with violent death and especially with murder.

the lurid details of a crime

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of macabre

Jenna Ortega is all set to return as Wednesday Addams for another year of kooky, macabre hijinks. —Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 11 July 2025

But another macabre aspect to this case is the state’s doing. —Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 July 2025

For five seasons, creator and host Rod Serling guided unsuspecting viewers through some of the most haunting, macabre stories ever told. —Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 3 July 2025

Untamed lingers on the body’s bluish decay and gouged limbs, a macabre counter to the suggestion that being outside will rejuvenate your spirit and your body. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 July 2025

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