NIGHTMARISH Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

nightmarish

adjective

Definition of nightmarish

as in gruesome

extremely disturbing or repellent a photographic exhibit of nightmarish images from the wars of the 20th century

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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 nightmarish Nolan’s vision and aesthetic is distinct, at once grounded and nightmarish, with plenty of little bits added or changed, but the spirit of the story intact. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026 Directors Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez keep a tight rein on this surreal, nightmarish classic. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026 The Phillies cited health issues and a disjointed routine as reasons to explain his nightmarish 2025 season. — Matt Gelb, New York Times, 30 June 2026 With Boston sealing the sweep on a game-winning single from Jarren Duran, a nightmarish, long weekend at Fenway Park came to a painful end for the Bombers. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 29 June 2026 On the other end of the spectrum was a nightmarish third inning in which the hosts scored 10 runs. — Kansas City Star, 27 June 2026 What begins as a simple burglary spirals into a nightmarish ordeal after one sister throws out her back and becomes immobilized on the second floor. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 25 June 2026 At first glance, Codey looks like a nightmarish character from the year 3000. — Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 17 June 2026 In the show, the heroine shares nightmarish tales alongside Herneval, who appears not as a prince but a sentient book. — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nightmarish

Adjective

The rest of the trailer is filled with the kind of Eighties-style excess — with a gruesome tinge — that showcases what a good match Ellis and Murphy are for each other.

— Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 14 July 2026
Their early live shows were marked by ominous guitar riffs, blast beats, and gruesome antics onstage, feeding into the early signs of a new heavy metal subgenre that would become death metal.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 14 July 2026

Definition of gruesome

Adjective

On one level, Knife is a story of survival and recovery after a horrific attack.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 July 2026
Mosley’s case drew the attention of Guardian Angel founder and 2025 Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa, who stood with animal lovers in demanding a stiff penalty in response to the cat’s horrific death.

— Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 10 July 2026

Definition of horrific

Adjective

Yet somehow, two decades later, the viciously antisemitic Vichy regime planted itself in power; a shocking betrayal by France of some of its most loyal and generous supporters, in a dehumanizing toxic swamp of suspicion, judgment, envy.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 July 2026
As shocking as the scandal surrounding Terrion Arnold is, the 2024 first-round pick had not played that well, and the Lions could be better without him.

— Vic Tafur, New York Times, 17 July 2026

Definition of shocking

Adjective

To sit still now would send a terrible message to a clubhouse full of pros, all of whom know the score.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2026
Spieth decided the ball sitting on a steep slope and potentially on a terrible lie wasn’t playable.

— Brody Miller, New York Times, 14 July 2026

Definition of terrible

Adjective

Obviously there’s day to day stuff but to me, that’s just another frightening thing about being trapped in a system.

— Caroline Reilly, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Cortlandt Koerwitz/Instagram A family's Fourth of July outing took a frightening turn when a bear charged at a father outside his Lake Tahoe vacation home after startling his daughters.

— Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 9 July 2026

Definition of frightening

Adjective

My prescribed low-carb, caffeine-free diet sounded horrifying on paper, but my sinful pleasures were replaced with a tasty, high-quality, and healthy alternative that left me more energized.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026
But many did not, as the 1981 episodes tell the grim tale of a young girl named Sylvia (Barash), who is raped by a stranger wearing a horrifying clown mask.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026

Definition of horrifying

Browse Nearby Words

nightmares

nightmarish

night owl

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“Nightmarish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nightmarish. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of nightmarish

adjective

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