DREADFULLY Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

dreadfully

adverb

Definition of dreadfully

as in terribly

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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 dreadfully Rooms in Blocks 8 and 9 are closest to reception, and the swimming pool, but no walk is dreadfully far (especially considering the interesting animals that meander the pathways). — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 Although Yamaha has been dreadfully slow about bringing its motorcycles to India, the R2 made its global debut there this week. — Yamaha, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026 Made from 100 percent cotton, this lightweight number is extremely soft and a great option for dreadfully hot days. — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 12 Aug. 2026 Part slasher parody, part meta commentary on the structure of horror movies, and fully riotous, Behind the Mask is a dreadfully under-appreciated contribution to the subgenre that would have made for a terrific franchise. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 9 June 2026 Especially early in its career, Hum was dreadfully misclassified as just another soft-to-loud/Smashing Pumpkins and Nirvana wannabe, and remained criminally under-appreciated for its heavy/stoner-friendly Midwestern shoegaze vibes long after its breakup. — Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 16 May 2026 More than anything, this documentary is dreadfully dull. — Zack Sharf, Variety, 11 Mar. 2026 That’s another company with a stock that acts dreadfully. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 25 Jan. 2026 Shin Godzilla, written and directed by Hideaki Anno of Neon Genesis Evangelion fame, comes the closest because it’s inspired by its own all-too-recent tragedy and feels dreadfully specific in its metaphor. — James Grebey, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dreadfully

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

Adverb

The company hopes to make diagnostic testing cheaper and more accessible — a mission that may sound awfully familiar to anyone who followed the rise and fall of Theranos.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
If anything, Trump’s escalating attempts to strong-arm people into a supposedly nicer term for AI makes him — and the industry itself — look awfully weak.

— Adi Robertson, The Verge, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of awfully

Adverb

Markos takes revenge by slicing up Matt’s face with a switchblade, leaving him horribly disfigured and his acting career essentially over.

— Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026
Nature created measles, modern science found the vaccine to stop it cold and end it forever and now horribly, Bobby Kennedy has brought it roaring back.

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of horribly

Adverb

The less said about Bryan’s horrendously gauche fuchsia-and-gold dress with puffy armholes and halter neck the better.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 31 July 2026
Too little regulation could allow the unleashing of devilish AI that might wipe us out or at least be horrendously destructive.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of horrendously

Adverb

From that point on, this martial arts video game adaptation becomes disastrously scattered, between setups and payoffs at complete odds, confounding ADR, and a total lack of any actual conclusion.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Audi, which disastrously reconfigured its entire model-naming strategy a while ago before changing it all back, must have missed that memo.

— Jason Barlow, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of disastrously

Adverb

That strategy backfired horrifically, as Wood fired a pass to wide receiver Ryan Jezioro smack dab in the middle of the endzone.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Rhys gets to play Mayor Tom’s traumatic reactions to being stalked by a Sea Hag to great effect both comedically and horrifically.

— Joe Reid, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of horrifically

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“Dreadfully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dreadfully. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of dreadfully

adverb

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