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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 The idea sounded at once mystical, therapeutic, and nightmarish. — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026 Minnesota’s Drake Lindsey has first-round potential; LaNorris Sellers had a nightmarish season in which the Gamecocks’ line surrendered 43 sacks but is one of the game’s most exciting players. — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026 What nightmarish scenarios would these two characters be facing? — Merrill Markoe, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026 But the nightmarish realms of the Further retain their unnerving power, and some of the old-school ghost movie thrills are well done. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026 Production should improve from Lagway’s nightmarish SEC-leading 14 interceptions. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026 The group’s predictions are nightmarish and agonizing to even contemplate. — Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026 Directed by Mamoru Oshii, the film is a visionary epic that presents a surprisingly nightmarish vision of the future. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Aug. 2026 The club made the move following a nightmarish stretch in which the three-time All-Star could never seem to get on track. — ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nightmarish

Adjective

In 1987, the United Klans of America was ordered to pay $7 million for the gruesome 1981 murder of Michael Donald, a Black teenager whose body was found hanging from a tree in Mobile, Alabama.

— Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
Her credits include Obi-Wan, Rebel Moon and The Orville, as well as the gruesome culinary creations of Grotesquerie and drinkable blood for American Horror Story.

— Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of gruesome

Adjective

This is the nightmare scenario behind the Kessler syndrome, a cascading chain of collisions that could render entire orbital pathways unusable.

— Alan Bradley, Space.com, 2 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of nightmare

Adjective

In front of adoring fans in Shanghai, the UFC veteran and perennial contender in the UFC bantamweight division scored a shocking upset win over Umar Nurmagomedov in the main event on Saturday.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
The August nonfarm payrolls report that releases Friday will be coming off a low set of expectations, given the shocking loss of jobs in July.

— Sarah Min, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of shocking

Adjective

As horrible news stories go, few could compare with what happened on a Greek holiday island Monday.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ terrible, horrible, no good, very bad reelection campaign just got worse after Wednesday night’s debate in Sherman Oaks.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of horrible

Adjective

But even without it, there seems to be some truth to the idea that if these teams were terrible businesses, they wouldn’t be sold for billions of dollars.

— Evan Drellich, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Not by tightening the siege on Iran directly, but by tightening the siege on those who help this regime, this terrible dictatorship.

— Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of terrible

Adjective

The Freedom 250 Grand Prix circuit has proved to be a treacherous one, and that was highlighted in a frightening crash involving a pair of drivers early in the race.

— Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026
And because cognition is so closely tied to a person’s sense of competence and identity, those changes can be surprisingly frightening.

— Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of frightening

Adjective

Equal parts emotional, horrifying and humorous, Pagans unearths all our darkest thoughts about family.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026
Soon, the horrifying virus is everywhere, and resulting scarcities of water, food, and medicine cause panic, which leads to false conspiracy theories, riots, and an utter collapse of social trust.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 19 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of nightmarish

adjective

Example Sentences

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