lurid

adjective

lu·​rid ˈlu̇r-əd How to pronounce lurid (audio)
1
a
: causing horror or revulsion : gruesome
The tabloids gave all the lurid details of floating wreckage and dismembered bodies.
b
: melodramatic, sensational
also : shocking
paperbacks in the usual lurid covers T. R. Fyvel
2
a
: wan and ghastly pale in appearance
frightened to death by the lurid waxworksSara H. Hay
b
: of any of several light or medium grayish colors ranging in hue from yellow to orange
3
: shining with the red glow of fire seen through smoke or cloud
lurid flames
luridly adverb
luridness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for lurid

ghastly, grisly, gruesome, macabre, lurid mean horrifying and repellent in appearance or aspect.

ghastly suggests the terrifying aspects of corpses and ghosts.

a ghastly accident

grisly and gruesome suggest additionally the results of extreme violence or cruelty.

an unusually grisly murder
suffered a gruesome death

macabre implies a morbid preoccupation with the physical aspects of death.

a macabre tale of premature burial

lurid adds to gruesome the suggestion of shuddering fascination with violent death and especially with murder.

the lurid details of a crime

Examples of lurid in a Sentence

a lurid tale of violence and betrayal the lurid lighting of a nightclub The light from the fire cast a lurid glow on everything.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But melodramatic fantasies about the end can also serve as a kind of lurid distraction from some of the more persistent problems at hand. Jennifer Szalai, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025 For the past year or longer, unhappy homeowners have paraded a steady drumbeat of complaints and lurid anecdotes at City Council meetings. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Jan. 2025 Tabloid Fiction The Pregnant Fugitive Heather O'Neill In which an author writes a short story inspired by the trashiest, most lurid, or just bizarre news items of the moment. Max Ufberg, hazlitt.net, 4 Jan. 2025 The street was lurid with the flashing lights of several fire trucks. Teju Cole, The New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for lurid 

Word History

Etymology

Latin luridus pale yellow, sallow

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of lurid was in 1603

Dictionary Entries Near lurid

Cite this Entry

“Lurid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lurid. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

lurid

adjective
lu·​rid ˈlu̇r-əd How to pronounce lurid (audio)
1
a
: causing horror or disgust : gruesome
lurid tales of murder
b
: sensational sense 2
lurid book covers
2
: lifelessly pale : wan
3
: shining with the red glow of fire seen through smoke
luridly adverb
luridness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on lurid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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