as in gruesome
extremely disturbing or repellent
a photographic exhibit of nightmarish images from the wars of the 20th century
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Recent Examples of nightmarish
Wenzler’s case has been particularly nightmarish because the hacker mocked him on social media.
—
Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 4 Mar. 2026
Until recently, this nightmarish scenario for Democrats seemed inconceivable.
—George Skelton, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
Besides the nightmarish creature, a mysterious ottoman was added to the middle of the bathroom floor, strengthening the case that an AI tool was involved.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 18 Feb. 2026
Three years ago, ‘Will Smith Eating Spaghetti’ was nightmarish fever-dream.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2026
South Carolina was a nightmarish 14% from beyond the arc.
—The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2026
When three murderous thugs attempt to reclaim the contraband from Susan, a nightmarish scenario unfolds during the two-hour stage story.
—Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
The legendary David Lynch announced himself to the world with this startling, nightmarish debut feature.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Jan. 2026
This was the nightmarish miracle of the castrato, whose bell-clear tones were immaculately preserved but oddly flavored, like butter buried in a peat bog.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 4 Mar. 2026
Until recently, this nightmarish scenario for Democrats seemed inconceivable.
—George Skelton, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
Besides the nightmarish creature, a mysterious ottoman was added to the middle of the bathroom floor, strengthening the case that an AI tool was involved.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 18 Feb. 2026
Three years ago, ‘Will Smith Eating Spaghetti’ was nightmarish fever-dream.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2026
South Carolina was a nightmarish 14% from beyond the arc.
—The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2026
When three murderous thugs attempt to reclaim the contraband from Susan, a nightmarish scenario unfolds during the two-hour stage story.
—Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
The legendary David Lynch announced himself to the world with this startling, nightmarish debut feature.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Jan. 2026
This was the nightmarish miracle of the castrato, whose bell-clear tones were immaculately preserved but oddly flavored, like butter buried in a peat bog.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nightmarish
Adjective
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The moment causes Byron, a selfish and braggadocious villain, to have a change of heart, stopping shipments of The Beauty and paying off the families ravaged by its gruesome side effects, like Bella’s.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
5 Mar. 2026
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The gruesome discovery would eventually lead authorities to a third woman, in her 80s, killed a few towns over, triggering a manhunt across several states and prompting a two-day closure of schools in Wayne County.—
Holly Yan,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Casap may never change after ‘horrific’ crimes First-degree intentional homicide carries a mandatory life sentence.—
Todd Richmond,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Mougey and Jets coach Aaron Glenn will enter a critical offseason following a horrific 3-14 record.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
That alone would be nightmare enough, but this debate has been constructed and is moderated by Sam Reich.—
Nic Juarez,
Vulture,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
News was spreading through the gym that Sage Hill had just upset Sierra Canyon 57-54 in Chatsworth in the other Open semifinal — one of the most shocking upsets in state basketball history.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
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The Defense Department’s reliance on Anthropic’s AI came as a shocking realization that ultimately led to their dramatic schism, according to a top Pentagon official.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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After the horrible murder of Rob Reiner and his wife, legions of fans revisited to the director’s films, and this is one of his best.—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
5 Mar. 2026
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But today, the building is in horrible shape.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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So many terrible things happen that the reader develops a kind of flinch, bracing for the next calamity whenever there is a brief lull in the misery.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
-
My actions were selfish; my actions were terrible.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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And for Slusser, born and raised as a Christian in Texas, just a year and a half living in Northern California had taken a frightening toll.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Protests that kind of were merging toward violence or at least frightening to our diplomats.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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It's been absolutely just horrifying.—
Kelly McCarthy,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
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After all, the findings of this report pale in comparison to the horrifying gaps exposed by toothless audits from the Maryland General Assembly’s Office of Legislative Audits.—
Torrey Snow,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nightmarish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nightmarish. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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