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
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Recent Examples of nightmare
Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
When a veteran tries to stop, the same symptoms that cannabis seemed to quiet come roaring back in potentially dangerous ways – rebound insomnia and nightmares, worsening depression and, in some cases, thoughts of suicide.
—Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, The Conversation, 11 June 2026
Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
This is the nightmare scenario for California Democrats.
—Tom Charron, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nightmare
Noun
Avoid potential traffic nightmares going to Inglewood by using shuttle buses and ride-share apps.
—Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
When a veteran tries to stop, the same symptoms that cannabis seemed to quiet come roaring back in potentially dangerous ways – rebound insomnia and nightmares, worsening depression and, in some cases, thoughts of suicide.
—Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, The Conversation, 11 June 2026
Adjective
But the 22-year-old is not alone in having a nightmare individual performance on a high-profile sporting stage.
—Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
This is the nightmare scenario for California Democrats.
—Tom Charron, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nightmare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nightmare
Noun
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There is a reason why, if and when a goal is scored in the opening game between Mexico and South Africa on Thursday afternoon, TV directors will focus on the scenes of agony and ecstasy both on the pitch and in the stands at Estadio Azteca.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
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Witnesses to previous nitrogen executions in Alabama have described the condemned in apparent agony.—
Abigail Brooks,
NBC news,
10 June 2026
Adjective
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In 1984, following Operation Blue Star, the assassination of India's prime minister by her Sikh bodyguard triggered horrific mob violence that killed thousands of Sikhs across the country, pushing many more to flee.—
Akash Pamarthy,
NPR,
6 June 2026
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In this true crime documentary, Emmy-winning filmmaker Liz Garbus and her team examine the timeline leading up to the horrific incident, offering a different explanation behind one of New York's worst motor vehicle accidents.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 June 2026
Noun
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Most Falcons fans know the misery of what 28-3 means without even going through the whole story behind it.—
AJC Sports,
AJC.com,
11 June 2026
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The Rays put the Red Sox out of their misery in two hours and 10 minutes.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
10 June 2026
Adjective
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This episode is both incredibly gruesome and incredibly funny, and the show maintains an excellent balance between the two extremes.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
10 June 2026
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On Monday evening, protesters burned down a bus as tensions rose in Belfast following the gruesome stabbing, despite earlier calls from authorities for calm.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
Noun
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And Spielberg has always had one foot in the horror genre.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
9 June 2026
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The poetic horror drama follows a young mother fleeing a toxic relationship and reconnecting with her grandmother, who carries wounds of her own.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
9 June 2026
Adjective
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Here are the five most shocking moments from Dutton Ranch season 1, episode 6.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
13 June 2026
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While this may seem shocking, the most important variables found by Yartseva are informative.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Noun
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America was losing its moral authority in the world (think Abu Ghraib and the torture memo).—
Robert B. Reich,
Hartford Courant,
9 June 2026
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By and large, people with acute misophonia want to flee the source of their torture, not attack it.—
Sloane Crosley,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
Adjective
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The companies try to slow down this process by submerging it in oil, but the resulting flavor is horrible.—
Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner,
Martha Stewart,
13 June 2026
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Your cab driver is taking you on a horrible route.—
Zach Schiffman,
Curbed,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nightmare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nightmare. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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