as in agony
a situation or state that causes great suffering and unhappiness
that 20-page exam was a nightmare
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in horrific
extremely disturbing or repellent
survivors of a nuclear holocaust would surely face a nightmare existence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of nightmare
Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 31 July 2025
Overnight, its compliance burden became everyone else's nightmare—and Circle's competitive moat.
—Roomy Khan, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
But both could have opposing hitters on nightmare watch the entire rest of the season.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025
These problems and necessary fixes will turn into nightmares for Bastrop if not addressed, Carrillo-Trevino said.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for nightmare
Noun
Practice is also a bit of a useful nightmare for Gannon and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 31 July 2025
Overnight, its compliance burden became everyone else's nightmare—and Circle's competitive moat.
—Roomy Khan, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
But both could have opposing hitters on nightmare watch the entire rest of the season.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025
These problems and necessary fixes will turn into nightmares for Bastrop if not addressed, Carrillo-Trevino said.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for nightmare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nightmare
Noun
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For many, the relationship with tequila ended in their early 20s with promises made to some dormitory deity — often made of porcelain — to end a miserable night’s agony.—
Todd Harmonson,
Oc Register,
4 Aug. 2025
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My wing-scarfing strategy was to plow through as many as possible before the agony set in, then survive the remainder without committing the day-ruining error of touching my eyes.—
Bradley Hohulin,
IndyStar,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The Yogurt Shop Murders is based on a true story of a horrific crime back in 1991, one that many people may not have heard of.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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The situation for the hostages is absolutely horrific as well.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Nothing was achieved except more misery for the region at the hands of Hamas and its allies.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
11 Aug. 2025
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The question of whether there is hunger is different from the question of who is responsible for the misery.—
Seth Mandel,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The gruesome deaths of the two beloved teens shook and forever changed the small Indiana community.—
Kristine Phillips,
IndyStar,
1 Aug. 2025
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The list includes redshirt junior nose tackle Jamari Lyons, back from a gruesome ankle injury, athletic 6-foot-2 ½, 244-pound sophomore linebacker Aaron Chiles and redshirt cornerback Cormani McClain.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 July 2025
Noun
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The horror film Weapons grants viewers some relief—but with a catch.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
15 Aug. 2025
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One user suggested the couple might have found themselves in a horror film scenario.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Perhaps the biggest moment was her shocking termination as principal, which not only upset her fictional colleagues but also viewers.—
Giana Levy,
Variety,
14 Aug. 2025
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In a shocking turn of events, Weems is Wednesday’s new spirit guide, or figure from beyond death who will help Wednesday with her psychic visions.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Those children endured years of torture, starvation, and imprisonment while the system looked the other way.—
Howard Talenfeld,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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Holocaust survivors say the hostage videos published in recent days recall for them their own torture and deprivation under the Nazis eight decades ago.—
Philissa Cramer,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The sandwich, featuring ground meat—generally beef—suspended in a thick, sweet tomatoey sauce, has become an avatar of the horrible school lunch, a cliché that tends to go along with hairnets, greasy aprons, and other elements of canteen grotesquerie.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
17 Aug. 2025
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The stories have overflowed with a horrible, glorious narrative abundance.—
Lyz Lenz,
Rolling Stone,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nightmare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nightmare. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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