HELLISH Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

hellish

adjective

Definition of hellish

as in horrible

of, resembling, or befitting hell We've been having hellish weather lately. The battlefield was a hellish scene of death and destruction.

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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 hellish There’s a distinct vibe shift on September 10, which could send you on an unexpected short trip to connect one-on-one with someone, and in the most grumblingly mundane sense, could make for a day of hellish commutes. — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026 The probe flew within 21,564 miles (34,675 kilometers) of the hellish planet, taking the first close measurements of Venus at the time. — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 27 Aug. 2026 As a result, almost every local government would face hellish decisions — weighing cuts to emergency services like police and fire against libraries, recreational programs and senior centers. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026 But as the episode closes out on another flash-forward to Joe’s captivity, we’re reminded that the plan of escape from this hellish timeline only throws her deeper into its clutches. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 16 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hellish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hellish

Adjective

There’s a big data center that just came to my community not long ago and their community engagement was horrible, absolutely horrible.

— Dustin DeSoto, Vox, 16 Oct. 2026
After the third day of squirting an experimental drug up his nose, Dylan Meetze felt horrible.

— Amy Maxmen, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of horrible

Adjective

Mahomes scrambled to his left and threw an awful interception in the opening half.

— Sam McDowell October 25, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
Their wins this year have been against a Patriots team that looked awful in Week 1 – with Drew Lock coming in for Darnold early in the game.

— David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of awful

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

Its pristine, almost peaceful harps make the song sound somehow pleasantly sickening.

— Clover Hope, Pitchfork, 25 Oct. 2026
Ole Miss scored two more touchdowns, and whatever momentum Texas had was replaced by that familiar sickening feeling.

— Mac Engel October 25, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of sickening

Browse Nearby Words

hellions

hellish

hellishness

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

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Synonyms of hellish

adjective

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