awful 1 of 2

adjective

ˈȯ-fəl How to pronounce awful (audio)
Definition of awfulnext
1
as in horrible
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment that's an awful thing to say about someone

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in amazing
causing wonder or astonishment the awful power of Niagara Falls

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in horrific
extremely disturbing or repellent spare me the awful details of the murder

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in terrible
extremely unsatisfactory I can't believe I spent good money to see that movie—it was awful

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

awful

2 of 2

adverb

as in terribly
to a great degree that's awful sweet of you

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example 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 awful
Adjective
The Cowboys’ upcoming schedule is awful, full of teams with losing records, and/or playing backup quarterbacks. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026 Trailing 12-0 after its awful start, BC scored the next 14 points, jumping in front on McKenzie’s 11-yard score to Javarius Green. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Adverb
Someone who has worked awful hard, has a great skill set, four years of college, four years of lifting, four years of game-planning at a high level in Division III. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 26 May 2022 First, there is the question whether the awful-looking restraint maneuver Chauvin used was actually authorized at the time, or at least not clearly forbidden. — D.j. Tice, Star Tribune, 20 Feb. 2021 See All Example Sentences for awful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for awful
  1. horrible
  2. amazing
  3. horrific
  4. terrible
  5. terribly
  6. ugly
  7. wonderful
  8. gruesome
Adjective
  • In most versions of the Greek mythology, Medusa is a beautiful woman that was cursed by the goddess Athena with a head of snakes instead of hair and the horrible ability to turn people to stone with just one look.
    — Lynsey Eidell, Glamour, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The battle is between that horrible atmosphere and some of the horrific candidates that have been nominated by the Democratic Party.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of horrible
Adjective
  • The group of girls are just truly amazing and really fight for each other.
    — Alex Kushel, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
  • He was voted unanimously for all of his amazing contributions.
    — Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of amazing
Adjective
  • The battle is between that horrible atmosphere and some of the horrific candidates that have been nominated by the Democratic Party.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The plot is carried out to horrific proportions, but the subjects are so utterly moronic that the gag stops being amusing.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of horrific
Adjective
  • His teams are terrible just before halftime, having been outscored 107-6 in the coach's 24 games.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • If the purpose of buying a suit were merely obtaining clothing, three fittings would be terrible service.
    — Anna van Praagh, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of terrible
Adverb
  • That’s not terribly surprising given the two teams have clashed multiple times over the past 25 years of Xbox.
    — Tom Warren, The Verge, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Conservation can go terribly wrong if local communities aren’t consulted during planning.
    — David Ginsburg, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of terribly
Adjective
  • The bad and ugly, though, has been a long list in years past, but especially in this season.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Hidden truths rear their ugly head, making for an increasingly tense triangle interaction.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of ugly
Adjective
  • An itinerary of hikes, wine tastings, and a sunset cruise offering incredible views of the Santa Barbara coastline is a wonderful way to end the day, while a cozy house with a garden will add to everyone’s enjoyment.
    — Vogue, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The improbable evening turned into a moving tribute to both Capra himself and his tale of the suicidal banker George Bailey, who comes to realize that his life has indeed been wonderful.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of wonderful
Adjective
  • Then there is Gemini, whose brief tenure as a public company has been simply gruesome.
    — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Lechner was a member of the 75th Rangers in Somalia and suffered a gruesome gunshot wound to his tibia.
    — David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of gruesome

Browse Nearby Words

awestruck
awful
awfully
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Cite this Entry

“Awful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/awful. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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