1
as in terrifying
causing fear
a dreadful hurricane
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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
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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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These types of horrific events by terrorists are why those of us who work for peace and stability in the world continue our mission.—
Danielle Wallace,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2025
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Of course, some eight hundred thousand did die—many in horrific ways—while the formerly enslaved were left to fend for themselves in a postwar state where apartheid was enforced by terror.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
21 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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Next, the authors report that repressive techniques are often effective in suppressing protest in the short run but tend to make resistance more intense in the long term.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
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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Milk bath nails have become popular for its sheer milky color worn by celebs like Jennifer Lopez and Meghan Markle.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
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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Surely Yellowstone, with its large predators and geothermal activity will deliver something gruesome.—
Wes Siler,
Outside Online,
19 Apr. 2025
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Realizing that the price of Remmick's offer is their souls, the living make a desperate last stand that results in the gruesome deaths of everyone but Smoke and Sammie.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dreadful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dreadful. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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