GHASTLY Synonyms: 168 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'ghastly' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of ghastly are grisly , gruesome , lurid , and macabre . While all these words mean "horrifying and repellent in appearance or aspect," ghastly suggests the terrifying aspects of corpses and ghosts. // a ghastly accident

Q: How do 'grisly' and 'gruesome' relate to one another, in the sense of 'ghastly'?

Both grisly and gruesome suggest additionally the results of extreme violence or cruelty. // an unusually grisly murder // suffered a gruesome death

Q: How are the words 'lurid' and 'gruesome' related as synonyms of 'ghastly'?

Lurid adds to gruesome the suggestion of shuddering fascination with violent death and especially with murder. // the lurid details of a crime

Q: When might 'macabre' be a better fit than 'ghastly'?

Although the words macabre and ghastly have much in common, macabre implies a morbid preoccupation with the physical aspects of death. // a macabre tale of premature burial

ghastly

adjective

ˈgast-lē

Definition of ghastly next

as in gruesome

extremely disturbing or repellent a ghastly murder that shocked even hard-bitten detectives

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in intense

extreme in degree, power, or effect I'm afraid that there's been a ghastly misunderstanding

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in terrifying

causing fear a ghastly crime that made local residents afraid to go out at night

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word ghastly different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of ghastly are grisly, gruesome, lurid, and macabre. While all these words mean "horrifying and repellent in appearance or aspect," ghastly suggests the terrifying aspects of corpses and ghosts.

a ghastly accident

How do grisly and gruesome relate to one another, in the sense of ghastly?

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

an unusually grisly murder

suffered a gruesome death

How are the words lurid and gruesome related as synonyms of ghastly?

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

the lurid details of a crime

When might macabre be a better fit than ghastly?

Although the words macabre and ghastly have much in common, macabre implies a morbid preoccupation with the physical aspects of death.

a macabre tale of premature burial

Examples Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of ghastly Like a slasher movie with a happy ending, this Sox crew went through a series of ghastly experiences and somehow came out the other end. —

Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 26 Sep. 2024 Whether this is in fact the real world, or just some ghastly illusion, also remains to be seen. —

Erik Kain, Forbes, 22 Sep. 2024 Those still in the trenches say efforts to establish alternative public safety models at the local and state level underscores that Floyd's ghastly death was not completely in vain. —

Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY, 25 May 2024 Ultimately, Allied military operations were successful in bringing Germany’s ghastly crimes to an end. —

Eli M. Rosenbaum, New York Daily News, 11 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ghastly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ghastly

Adjective

One popular, gruesome theory has it that a truck ran her over and then sped away, but what happened for sure, no one can tell.

Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024
Before his gruesome leg injury, the 24-year-old pass-rusher was on pace to secure an NFL Defensive Player of the Year trophy.

Jesse Reed, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024