1
as in terrifying
causing fear
a dreadful hurricane
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in awful
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment
a dreadful performance of a beautiful piece of music
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in horrific
extremely disturbing or repellent
dreadful news of a crime wave in the neighborhood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
the dreadful heat of the desert
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in sheer
having no exceptions or restrictions
made a dreadful mess of his first marriage
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dreadful
Their early concession was dreadful, Hudson-Odoi catching Murphy in possession and then catching Nick Pope out of position, and the second half became unnecessarily nervous and unconvincing when Forest got a second.
—
Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
Hoping too no-one is cracking any jokes around Dunky because rib pain and comedy are a truly dreadful combo.
—Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
That’s long enough to include those tanking Oklahoma City Thunder squads, the Process Philadelphia 76ers, the post-Kevin Garnett/Paul Pierce Brooklyn Nets and some dreadful New York Knicks groups.
—Fred Katz, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
Players have rotated in and out and systems have changed, but still it’s been dreadful.
—Kevin Kurz, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dreadful
Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
Hoping too no-one is cracking any jokes around Dunky because rib pain and comedy are a truly dreadful combo.
—Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
That’s long enough to include those tanking Oklahoma City Thunder squads, the Process Philadelphia 76ers, the post-Kevin Garnett/Paul Pierce Brooklyn Nets and some dreadful New York Knicks groups.
—Fred Katz, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
Players have rotated in and out and systems have changed, but still it’s been dreadful.
—Kevin Kurz, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dreadful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dreadful
Adjective
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The teaser trailer showcases the epic highs and lows of professional football, with a focus on the lows, as all of this looks terrifying.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
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The teaser does feature a glimpse at Calypso, the man who hosts the tournament, as well as a signature laugh from Sweet Tooth the terrifying clown.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Players who are in strong lineups on teams prone to having awful lineups on the floor in the same games are prone to having skewed impact numbers.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
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The memes are endless as the LIV Golf star has played awful golf on Sunday.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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With that horrific risk in mind, the crew hatches a new plan.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
9 Apr. 2025
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Viscerally horrific, conceptually mindblowing, achingly humane.—
Ollie Barder,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The missions became more intense as Japan's outlook grew more dire and the military showcased the sacrifice of the pilots to drum up patriotism and support for the war.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2025
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Her message prompted an intense, impassioned reaction.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Characterized by sheer white tones with a glossy finish, the milky nail look supplies a more natural look.—
Taylor Anderson,
Vogue,
15 Apr. 2025
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Considering the sheer number of restaurants that have opened in the past year, the Miami area could easily see another spot get a star.—
Connie Ogle,
Miami Herald,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Wade has been in a horrible slump since the season started and going in to Saturday night’s game against the Los Angeles Angels is hitting .096 (5-for-52) with a homer, seven RBIs, eight walks and an on base percentage of .213.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2025
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The Braves desperately need to add a shortstop and some offensive help amid their horrible start to the season.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Everyone knew it, especially when some San Francisco Giants batters took ugly hacks against it in the first inning.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
18 Apr. 2025
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Win that one, too, of course, and the No. 1-seed Cleveland Cavaliers and the best record in the NBA Eastern Conference would await to very likely only elongate the end for this Heat season and end it ugly. Do not expect a play-in to the Finals miracle run like Miami pulled off two years ago.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Thoughtful, but gruesome is an apt descriptor for the film as well.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
5 Apr. 2025
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This was true of Fury (2015) as well, his brutal and gruesome war drama featuring Brad Pitt as a tank commander in the final days of World War II leading a platoon of hardened, traumatized, broken soldiers.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
3 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dreadful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dreadful. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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