Synonyms of macabre

macabre

adjective

mə-ˈkäb 

as in gruesome

extremely disturbing or repellent

a macabre movie about animated corpses

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of macabre are ghastly, grisly, gruesome, and lurid. While all these words mean "horrifying and repellent in appearance or aspect," macabre implies a morbid preoccupation with the physical aspects of death.

a macabre tale of premature burial

When would ghastly be a good substitute for macabre?

The synonyms ghastly and macabre are sometimes interchangeable, but ghastly suggests the terrifying aspects of corpses and ghosts.

a ghastly accident

How are the words grisly and gruesome related as synonyms of macabre?

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

an unusually grisly murder

suffered a gruesome death

How do lurid and gruesome relate to one another, in the sense of macabre?

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

the lurid details of a crime

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of macabre

A day after our first meeting, the news is relentless; ICE raids are playing out across TV like a macabre reality show. —Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 19 Feb. 2025

Given that, Tim Burton’s macabre style should’ve been the perfect match for transforming Dumbo into a live-action film. —Staff Author, EW.com, 22 Mar. 2025

Soldiers have reported a visceral fear of drones and both sides have used macabre footage of fatal strikes in their propaganda, with soldiers shown being blown apart in toilets or running from burning vehicles. —Guy Faulconbridge and Anton Kolodyazhnyy, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2025

Wielding supernatural abilities and a macabre aesthetic, the Addams family included parents Gomez and Morticia, son Pugsley, daughter Wednesday, Uncle Fester, Grandmama and their loyal butler Fester. —Colson Thayer, People.com, 6 Mar. 2025

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