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
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
Regardless of the bias in whatever racial or political agenda may be behind this nightmarish remake of Eugene O’Neil’s dark drama of societal miscreants, The Iceman Cometh, the ICE men are making sure their own approval rating melts, while doing damage to both commerce and community safety.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 21 Jan. 2026
The film centers on Malu, whose struggles with unresolved trauma and a difficult child take a nightmarish turn when an inexplicable curse brings toilets to life as murderous creatures, plunging her into a bizarre realm where maternal responsibilities, loss and existential dread intertwine.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 Jan. 2026
The complex tapestry of tones provides the perfect canvas for a brutal and nightmarish study of unchecked power.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 13 Jan. 2026
Let’s start this by saying that the two free agent signings, who were attention-grabbing in the worst way, haven’t been outright nightmarish.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
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
Regardless of the bias in whatever racial or political agenda may be behind this nightmarish remake of Eugene O’Neil’s dark drama of societal miscreants, The Iceman Cometh, the ICE men are making sure their own approval rating melts, while doing damage to both commerce and community safety.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 21 Jan. 2026
The film centers on Malu, whose struggles with unresolved trauma and a difficult child take a nightmarish turn when an inexplicable curse brings toilets to life as murderous creatures, plunging her into a bizarre realm where maternal responsibilities, loss and existential dread intertwine.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 Jan. 2026
The complex tapestry of tones provides the perfect canvas for a brutal and nightmarish study of unchecked power.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 13 Jan. 2026
Let’s start this by saying that the two free agent signings, who were attention-grabbing in the worst way, haven’t been outright nightmarish.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nightmarish
Adjective
-
This story is set in a gruesome, violent, vile world.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Throughout the last two days, Ivey centered himself in faith and gratitude — two grounding principles for a player whose career was derailed in January 2025 by a gruesome leg injury.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Pregnancy was an offense punishable by death in the camps, yet all three women managed to survive horrific conditions, give birth and keep their newborns alive through seemingly impossible twists of fate and luck.—
Lesley Stahl,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
His cinema verite style powerfully exposed the horrific inhumanity of public institutions (like hospitals, schools and housing projects) supposedly created to help people.—
Duane Byrge,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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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
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This shocking ignorance and insensitivity by Ocasio-Cortez should rule her out of any potential presidential bid or other high office.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Viewers barely have time to register what’s in front of them before there’s another shocking accusation, revelation, or character detail.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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And for the next year its law enforcement members were hailed as heroes for their efforts that prevented a horrible situation from becoming even worse.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
-
There’s nary a crease to be seen in Bina Daigeler’s costumes, all covetable, unapproachable and tailored to the gods; Matthew Herbert’s score may be among the lushest ever slathered over such horrible goings-on.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
America just passed the 50th anniversary of one of its truly terrible days — one that future historians can track as the beginning of the end of our democracy.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Busch was terrible defensively at third.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Trish Walters of Portland, Oregon, another passenger, recounted the frightening incident on social media.—
Jessica Mekles,
FOXNews.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
As unsettling events ripple through the town, Henry begins to grapple with the frightening possibility that he may be connected to the darkness taking hold.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The trail of terror since is too long to lay out in all its horrifying detail—in Madrid and Munich, in Strasburg and Stockholm, and all the way to Hamas’s mass murder of Jews on October 7, 2023.—
Josef Joffe,
The Atlantic,
14 Feb. 2026
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While the Guthrie disappearance is a rare but horrifying instance of the perils of an elderly person living alone, many families struggle with worry and concern over older relatives who live by themselves.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nightmarish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nightmarish. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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