MACABRE Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

macabre

adjective

mə-ˈkäb

Definition of macabre next

as in gruesome

extremely disturbing or repellent a macabre movie about animated corpses

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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

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 macabre The season moves slowly, but altogether Archive 81 makes for a melancholy and macabre investigation of history as a haunting. —

Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2024 With the dark moon in Scorpio, a zodiac sign known for its depth, intensity and association with all things hidden and macabre, this energy becomes magnified. —

Valerie Mesa, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024 Sit among the creepy and macabre Halloween decor while sipping on themed cocktails, such as the Sirens Song featuring rum, rye, pineapple, orgeat, sherry and lime. —

Samantha Nelson, Chicago Tribune, 23 Oct. 2024 On November 2, the museum hosts a free visual artist showcase in its library featuring three local artists whose graphic art trends toward the creepy and macabre. —

Chadd Scott, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for macabre

Recent Examples of Synonyms for macabre

Adjective

Prehistoric Rock Art Sites Created 'Multisensory Experience' For Hunter-Gatherers By Aristos Georgiou Science and Health Reporter 0 A collection of prehistoric human remains has revealed gruesome insights into a brutal massacre that took place more than 4,000 years ago.

Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
Police think the gruesome gunshot death is suicide.

Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024