Synonyms of nightmarish

nightmarish

adjective

as in gruesome

extremely disturbing or repellent

a photographic exhibit of nightmarish images from the wars of the 20th century

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gruesome
• horrific
• nightmare
• shocking
• horrible
• terrible
• frightening
• horrifying
• terrifying
• terrific
• dreadful
• awful
• hideous
• scary
• grisly
• appalling
• horrid
• macabre
• ghastly
• sickening
• frightful
• monstrous
• horrendous
• atrocious
• lurid
• disgusting
• alarming
• fearful
• dire
• ugly
• grotesque
• formidable
• obscene
• loathsome
• direful
• revolting
• fearsome
• repulsive
• unspeakable
• offensive
• abominable
• disagreeable
• deplorable
• heinous
• gut-wrenching
• intimidating
• forbidding
• repugnant
• abhorrent
• obnoxious
• evil
• odious
• hair-raising
• bloodcurdling
• distasteful
• vile
• nauseating
• heart-stopping
• redoubtable
• noisome
• noxious
• unsightly
• foul

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pleasant
• delightful
• attractive
• delicious
• enjoyable
• welcome
• appealing
• satisfying
• pleasurable
• agreeable
• enticing
• delectable
• pleasing
• inviting
• comforting
• soothing
• cheering

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of nightmarish

So far, the sequel is off to a nightmarish start, and neither Ballard nor Steichen should feel safe after being at the helm of such an embarrassing showing. — James Boyd, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

As Pattinson spends a long night trying to rescue his brother, the Safdies weave a nightmarish, impressionistic vision of New York that ranks among the most unsettling cinematic depictions of the city. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026

Maddie and Avery moved back from New York to help out as their mother tried to keep Little Flower going while dealing with dislocation and a nightmarish battle with her insurance company. — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

There's little parking at the Coliseum, meaning fans are forced into a nightmarish hellscape of distant structures, and the security lines are infamously awful at an old stadium. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026

The idea sounded at once mystical, therapeutic, and nightmarish. — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026

Which makes sense given that, nightmarish dystopian scenario or not, Scott’s movie isn’t science fiction. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 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