as in agony
a situation or state that causes great suffering and unhappiness
that 20-page exam was a nightmare
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in horrific
extremely disturbing or repellent
survivors of a nuclear holocaust would surely face a nightmare existence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of nightmare
Rob Picheta, CNN, 24 Jan. 2025
The hours that followed were something out of a nightmare.
—Sasha Hupka, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025
One inch of snow (or even half of that amount) freezing quickly is a recipe for a traffic nightmare.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Art leaves too much out, removes the worst details and allows the intangible — dreams, memories, nightmares — to slip through your fingers.
—Robert Rubsam, Vulture, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for nightmare 
Noun
Related article Gaza is a nightmare after 15 months of war.
—Rob Picheta, CNN, 24 Jan. 2025
The hours that followed were something out of a nightmare.
—Sasha Hupka, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025
One inch of snow (or even half of that amount) freezing quickly is a recipe for a traffic nightmare.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Art leaves too much out, removes the worst details and allows the intangible — dreams, memories, nightmares — to slip through your fingers.
—Robert Rubsam, Vulture, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for nightmare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nightmare
Noun
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Ohio State had several years of agony fueling its CFP run, and the 2025 season will be Penn State’s turn to attempt something similar.—
Austin Meek,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
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After 15 months of agony, the potential Gaza ceasefire comes as a colossal relief not just for Palestinians and Israelis, but for the wider Middle East.—
Max Rodenbeck,
TIME,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Beloved Hollywood couple Alison Brie and Dave Franco have teamed up on the big screen a handful of times already but their new collaboration tests their coupledom in new and horrific ways.—
Chris Gardner,
The Hollywood Reporter,
26 Jan. 2025
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Fires shine spotlight on power lines Power lines are again drawing the spotlight as a potential cause of the horrific blazes.—
Bart Jansen,
USA TODAY,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Former Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark was spotted on the sidelines during the game wearing an expression that looked as if someone on the Texans’ offense was about to be introduced to a lesson on misery.—
The Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
18 Jan. 2025
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Yet, none of that matters by the film's end, when Charlotte is forced to put wolf-Blake out of his misery in order to ensure her and her daughter's safety.—
Megan McCluskey,
TIME,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Unlike the gruesome, bloodthirsty creatures of classic films and literature, Cullen and his family abstain from drinking the blood of humans.—
Edward Segarra,
USA TODAY,
27 Jan. 2025
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Shanks brilliantly paces the story out with several pieces of foreshadowing, including a rat king as symbolism for toxic codependency, mirroring a gruesome story Tim tells Millie about his father’s death and his mother’s mental health.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Isn't finding out the answer to those questions part of what makes horror great?—
EW Staff,
EW.com,
23 Jan. 2025
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The film is supernatural body horror goodness from debut filmmaker Michael Shanks.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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But for one couple, their big day was nearly derailed by a shocking incident involving an uninvited guest.—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
22 Jan. 2025
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With Williamson’s incredible start to his career and the shocking turns it’s taken since, The Athletic’s Will Guillory and Christian Clark discussed their times covering Williamson as members of the New Orleans media.—
William Guillory,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Muhammed was found guilty of multiple counts of torture, felony child abuse and false imprisonment, among others.—
Elaine Aradillas,
People.com,
18 Jan. 2025
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Instead, there’s a different kind of torture — walls dotted with inspirational posters.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Traffic was horrible and the private crews can’t turn on a siren, ignore traffic laws, and drive on the wrong side of the road like public firefighters.—
Joseph Bien-Kahn,
Rolling Stone,
24 Jan. 2025
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Recommended Trump moves from ‘American carnage’ to ‘a horrible betrayal’ in second inaugural Juries also convicted some on charges of seditious conspiracy, which refers to activities that undermine a state without directly attacking it.—
Patrik Jonsson,
The Christian Science Monitor,
24 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near nightmare
Cite this Entry
“Nightmare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nightmare. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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