1
a
: inspiring dread (see dread entry 2 sense 1a) : causing great and oppressive fear
a dreadful attack
2
: extremely bad, distasteful, unpleasant, or shocking
a dreadful idea
a dreadful performance
dreadful behavior
The food was absolutely dreadful.
3
: extreme
dreadful disorder
publishing
: a cheap and sensational (see sensational sense 2) story or periodical
Synonyms
Examples of dreadful in a Sentence
Adjective
Her performance was absolutely dreadful.
Those children have such dreadful manners.
Recent Examples on the Web
Joy Williams, Harper's Magazine, 30 Mar. 2024
Manoah wound up producing nearly as dreadful numbers as Rodon.
—Larry Fleisher, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dreadful 
Adjective
The dreadful inscribing machine and its ungodly purpose are described in meticulous detail—their spectacular efficiency and even more spectacular collapse.
—Joy Williams, Harper's Magazine, 30 Mar. 2024
Manoah wound up producing nearly as dreadful numbers as Rodon.
—Larry Fleisher, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dreadful
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dreadful.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near dreadful
Cite this Entry
“Dreadful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dreadful. Accessed 4 May. 2024.
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