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
• grisly
• terrifying
• terrific
• scary
• hideous
• nightmarish
• dreadful
• awful
• ghastly
• sickening
• appalling
• lurid
• frightful
• horrid
• monstrous
• disgusting
• horrendous
• atrocious
• alarming
• grotesque
• fearful
• obscene
• dire
• ugly
• formidable
• repulsive
• revolting
• offensive
• loathsome
• direful
• repugnant
• heinous
• unspeakable
• bloodcurdling
• abhorrent
• intimidating
• odious
• forbidding
• disagreeable
• 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

This traveling oddities festival features artists, vendors, performers, educators and guest speakers, all working to create a macabre and magical experience for attendees. —Travis Pinson, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026

But their weekly exchanges — the format finds each sharing mostly macabre stories, with a comedic slant that’s rare in the genre — would soon surpass 30 million monthly downloads. —Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 15 Jan. 2026

Filling out this adorably macabre world are characters like the psychic Sally (Catherine O’Hara), the frightening Oogie Boogie (Ken Page), and Sandy Claws himself (Ed Ivory). —Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Dec. 2025

The scene has the glint of macabre humor. —Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025

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