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

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 macabre Then the plot departs from reality and descends into macabre humor, with Cole accidentally pushing the old lady down the stairs, killing her. Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025 Père Lachaise had had a similar problem until its operators, in a macabre bit of marketing, arranged for the remains of Molière and Jean de La Fontaine to be relocated to their grounds. Paige Williams, New Yorker, 2 June 2025 Folks dropped letters of thanks in the Marshall’s mailbox, saying the macabre decor brightened their day. Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 30 May 2025 There’s a third kid involved in the story called Oliver, played with macabre relish by Jonah Wren Phillips. Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for macabre
Recent Examples of Synonyms for macabre
Adjective
  • In the wake of the gruesome shootings of two Minnesota Democratic lawmakers and their spouses, Lee took to social media.
    S.E. Cupp, New York Daily News, 19 June 2025
  • So prepare for more gruesome kills, more gross-outs, more insight into how a society might actually look a generation after an unfathomable event.
    Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • Remember the horrific pro-Western regime of the Shah with its 150,000+ political prisoners?
    Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 21 June 2025
  • Even the hill opposite, which is free to attend, is noticeably quieter, although the horrific, endless rain will have something to do with that.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • The 6-foot-7 forward will join Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis with the Mavericks, who are looking to turn around the franchise following the shocking midseason trade of Luka Dončić in February.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 27 June 2025
  • The Paris heavyweight routed Atletico Madrid 4-0 in their Club World Cup opening game, suffered a shocking 1-0 upset by Brazilian club Botafogo in their second match, and then beat the Seattle Sounders 2-0 to clinch first place in the group.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Macabre.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/macabre. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on macabre

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