gnarly

adjective

Definition of gnarlynext
slang
as in ugly

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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 gnarly In the acquisition space, the Nats traded Jake Bennett, who sits 93 and relies on deception and command, to the Red Sox for Luis Perales, who sits 99 with a gnarly splitter. — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026 As a rock star, Chrissie Hynde has always been a bit of a paradox — gnarly but cerebral, ferocious yet guarded. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026 Hossain and her collaborators have conjured an internalized hellscape marked by sensual photography, gnarly cyst makeup, and suffocating matrimonial rituals involving turmeric and milk — all redolent with upper-class heteronormative rot. — Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026 Adrenaline junkies should consider a trip that involves the notoriously gnarly Cherry Creek section, a nine-mile stretch of intense Class V whitewater, but the local rivers also allow for more relaxing, Class III floats. — Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 5 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gnarly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gnarly
  1. ugly
  2. hideous
  3. disgusting
  4. hellish
  5. loathsome
  6. horrid
  7. beastly
  8. hateful
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
  • Alabama has been busily demonstrating that the reverse is true, following a string of hideous botched lethal injection executions with a series of no less gruesome executions with nitrogen suffocation.
    — Maya Foa, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • But then comes the ad, a full-screen photo of a hideous brown leather recliner.
    — Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of hideous
Adjective
  • Comparing the administration's fight to protect women and women's spaces from males to rape, is utterly disgusting and actually devalues those atrocities and crimes against actual women.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The squad has not been beefed up at all after a shameful and disgusting transfer window.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of disgusting
Adjective
  • Evil spirits lurk at every turn when observing this hellish home.
    — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Israel is not solely responsible for the persistence of hellish conditions in Gaza.
    — KHALED ELGINDY, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of hellish
Adjective
  • Given French’s loathsome history, Abbott and others in the party establishment worked hard to keep him from winning the Republican nomination, Rice noted.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Kraus’ paean to peace is written in the most luxurious and loathsome language imaginable — in one very long and fractured sentence.
    — The Know, Denver Post, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of loathsome
Adjective
  • Australia resumed 3-1 and endured a horrid first hour, losing another three wickets.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The last thing Deion Sanders wants is for this to snowball into another horrid season, with a select few players not taking things seriously in the locker room.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of horrid
Adjective
  • The German tuner, known for turning luxe cars from Lamborghini to Bentley into absurd, beastly powerhouses, has teamed up with the folks at Sunreef on a new 55-foot cat.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 28 July 2026
  • Yet Corsini transforms his shocking premise into a beastly and beautiful character study, one that’s smartly supported by a mostly Italian ensemble and truly revelatory second antagonist.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 24 July 2026
Definition of beastly
Adjective
  • Violent mobs carrying Palestinian flags clashed with police, looted hundreds of stores, and flooded social media with over 1,300 hateful anti-Semitic posts.
    — Staff, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The Illinois High School Association is responding as an investigation continues into hateful comments against Evanston Township High School students who were part of marching band during a football game at the new Ryan Field last week.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of hateful

Browse Nearby Words

G-men
gnarly
gnash
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Cite this Entry

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

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