Definition of macabrenext

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 Sure, children could gravitate toward the cartoonish animation style and colourful action on screen, but the show was always geared toward teens and adults who grew up on the macabre and cynical sensibilities of Tim Burton and horror comedies of the '80s and '90s. Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 30 Mar. 2026 That modest notoriety, combined with the macabre nature of the deed and its unsolved status for decades, lured the filmmaker into an extended investigation — the end result being this feature. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026 And the violent scenes aren’t grotesque or didactic — think of Miles’ muted trumpet sound reconfigured as resurrection visuals, of his ability to play and stage ballads so well that their uptempo momentum moves into territories too macabre to mute. Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026 Brother Giulio Cesareo, spokesman for the Franciscans in Assisi, said the exposition wasn’t a macabre celebration of the dead. ABC News, 22 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for macabre
Recent Examples of Synonyms for macabre
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
  • 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
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

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

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