Synonyms of ghastly

ghastly

adjective

ˈgast-lē 

1

as in gruesome

extremely disturbing or repellent

a ghastly murder that shocked even hard-bitten detectives

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gruesome
• horrific
• shocking
• horrible
• nightmare
• terrible
• horrifying
• hideous
• frightening
• dreadful
• awful
• terrific
• terrifying
• grisly
• horrid
• appalling
• nightmarish
• scary
• macabre
• sickening
• frightful
• horrendous
• monstrous
• atrocious
• lurid
• disgusting
• ugly
• alarming
• fearful
• dire
• grotesque
• loathsome
• obscene
• formidable
• direful
• revolting
• repulsive
• abominable
• heinous
• offensive
• odious
• deplorable
• unspeakable
• disagreeable
• repugnant
• fearsome
• abhorrent
• obnoxious
• vile
• forbidding
• evil
• intimidating
• distasteful
• redoubtable
• gut-wrenching
• bloodcurdling
• nauseating
• noxious
• noisome
• hair-raising
• unsightly
• heart-stopping
• foul

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pleasant
• delightful
• attractive
• delicious
• welcome
• agreeable
• appealing
• enjoyable
• satisfying
• delectable
• pleasurable
• pleasing
• enticing
• inviting
• comforting
• soothing
• cheering

2

as in intense

extreme in degree, power, or effect

I'm afraid that there's been a ghastly misunderstanding

Synonyms & Similar Words

• intense
• intensive
• terrible
• fierce
• ferocious
• deep
• furious
• heavy
• dreadful
• violent
• vicious
• profound
• frightful
• acute
• fearful
• explosive
• exquisite
• fearsome
• excruciating
• blistering
• vehement
• keen
• heavy-duty
• hard
• hellacious
• almighty
• intensified
• harsh
• aggravated
• heightened
• severe
• concentrated
• enhanced
• magnified
• exhaustive
• thorough
• stressed
• accentuated
• deepened
• rigorous
• emphasized

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• light
• moderate
• soft
• feeble
• weak
• superficial
• shallow
• qualified
• decreased
• eased
• toned (down)
• moderated
• subdued
• reduced
• diminished
• lightened
• lessened
• alleviated
• abated

3

as in terrifying

causing fear

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• terrifying
• horrible
• frightening
• formidable
• terrible
• scary
• intimidating
• dread
• alarming
• horrifying
• dreadful
• shocking
• fearful
• eerie
• frightful
• startling
• horrendous
• creepy
• gruesome
• fearsome
• dire
• direful
• forbidding
• spine-chilling
• redoubtable
• troubling
• disturbing
• trying
• hair-raising
• hideous
• threatening
• unnerving
• discouraging
• daunting
• disconcerting
• disquieting
• weird
• perturbing
• grisly
• demoralizing
• horrid
• dismaying
• distressing
• nightmarish
• appalling
• awful
• macabre
• monstrous
• atrocious
• bone-chilling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reassuring
• comforting
• soothing
• relaxing
• inviting
• calming
• consoling
• tranquilizing
• nonthreatening
• quieting
• lulling
• pacifying
• nonintimidating

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ghastly

In the two seasons before Motta’s return, the Mavericks were a ghastly 24-140 under Richie Adubato and Quinn Buckner. —Brad Townsend, Dallas Morning News, 26 Feb. 2026

Maye had three turnovers in Super Bowl 60, including a ghastly, unforced interception that snuffed a semi-decent comeback chance. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026

And Petitti, presumably with the backing of his schools, favored a ghastly 24-team model that would have fundamentally altered the regular season. —Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026

Not as some awful sort of ghastly skeleton with a scythe in its hand coming to chop us off. —Terry Gross, NPR, 15 Jan. 2026