nightmarish

adjective

Definition of nightmarishnext
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 One Night Only is probably trying to be hopeful and sweet in its suggestion that love can make any nightmarish circumstances tolerable. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 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 But what began as another dazzling night in the orbit of Hollywood’s elite was about to take a nightmarish turn—one that would send shock waves through the entertainment industry, through Los Angeles, and beyond. — Peter Rowe, Air Mail, 1 Aug. 2026 After two nightmarish seasons wrecked by injury, Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd is crossing his fingers that the worst is behind him. — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 That’s a nightmarish output compared to the 87 catches, 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns from his rookie season in 2024, especially as the Jaguars’ offense improved across the board around him. — The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 20 July 2026 Directors Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez keep a tight rein on this surreal, nightmarish classic. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nightmarish
  1. gruesome
  2. horrific
  3. nightmare
  4. shocking
  5. horrible
  6. terrible
  7. frightening
  8. horrifying
Adjective
  • Burke was not merely a rising star grappling with new fame, prosecutors contend, but a killer carrying a gruesome secret.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The massacre left the community reeling from the losses and the gruesome nature of the victims’ deaths.
    — Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of gruesome
Adjective
  • Civilian death and destruction, however horrific, do not establish genocide.
    — Arielle Kaden, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • His team added that Emmanuel Haro's sister was subjected to horrific abuse and watched her brother die as a result of their parents' neglect.
    — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Definition of horrific
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
  • The shocking lack of answers does not appear to be for a lack of resources, rather it highlights perceived investigative missteps along the way.
    — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The shocking report was nevertheless cheered by investors, who took the weakness in the labor market as a sign that the Federal Reserve won’t hike rates in September.
    — Sarah Min, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of shocking
Adjective
  • But the Chinese way will cause a proliferation of talent, usage, data—until something horrible happens.
    — Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The Badgers have had horrible injury luck, which has led to bad QB play the past few years.
    — Antonio Morales, New York Times, 27 July 2026
Definition of horrible
Adjective
  • The delta between the disability from these diseases and the amount of funding and research being done on them is terrible.
    — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026
  • And forty per cent was about how great Modi is and how terrible the opposition is.
    — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of terrible
Adjective
  • Rob remembers the first two days in the hospital as frightening and uncertain.
    — Lisa Hughes, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • Chris Hemsworth's latest family vacation took a frightening turn when the actor found himself aboard a small plane caught in the middle of a lightning storm.
    — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of frightening
Adjective
  • How did Cubs manager Craig Counsell react to the horrifying news that Skubal was now a Dodger?
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026
  • And despite his horrifying physical decline, the King never lost his voice.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of horrifying

Browse Nearby Words

nightmares
nightmarish
night owl
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Cite this Entry

“Nightmarish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nightmarish. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on nightmarish

Nglish: Translation of nightmarish for Spanish Speakers

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