NIGHTMARISH Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

nightmarish

adjective

Definition of nightmarish

as in gruesome

extremely disturbing or repellent a photographic exhibit of nightmarish images from the wars of the 20th century

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 nightmarish On the other end of the spectrum was a nightmarish third inning in which the hosts scored 10 runs. — Kansas City Star, 27 June 2026 In the show, the heroine shares nightmarish tales alongside Herneval, who appears not as a prince but a sentient book. — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026 At first glance, Codey looks like a nightmarish character from the year 3000. — Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 17 June 2026 Fast forward a couple of decades, and the duo has joined forces for Find Your Friends, a nightmarish new horror-thriller about a girls' trip gone wrong. — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 14 June 2026 What begins as a simple burglary spirals into a nightmarish ordeal after one sister throws out her back and becomes immobilized on the second floor. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 25 June 2026 Aside from serving up Joe Carter’s homer, what was the Wild Thing’s most nightmarish feat in the 1993 World Series? — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 26 June 2026 With Boston sealing the sweep on a game-winning single from Jarren Duran, a nightmarish, long weekend at Fenway Park came to a painful end for the Bombers. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 29 June 2026 Facing a nightmarish opponent, New Yorkers’ first response was to meet the moment with uncharacteristically cheerful jokes. — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 9 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nightmarish

Adjective

Chris Brown was found liable by a Los Angeles jury on Tuesday for $13 million in the gruesome case of a dog that mauled and disfigured his housekeeper at his home in 2020.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 1 July 2026
But as the days dragged on, headlines about power outages and water shortages took a back seat to a far more gruesome and horrific reality.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 1 July 2026

Definition of gruesome

Adjective

Gerardi and his horrific murder have remained relevant in the decades since.

— Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 July 2026
To be sure, the thugs of Hamas and Hezbollah committed a horrific massacre of young Jewish civilians enjoying a music festival on October 7, 2023.

— DP Opinion, Denver Post, 6 July 2026

Definition of horrific

Adjective

Cape Verde began this run by making a statement, producing a shocking 0-0 draw against soccer powerhouse Spain on June 15 in its first-ever World Cup match.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
The Packers then blew a 21-3 halftime lead in the Wild Card round against Chicago, gave up 25 fourth quarter points and eventually suffered a shocking 31-27 loss to the arch-rival Bears.

— Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

Definition of shocking

Adjective

And obviously, slavery was a terrible thing, and that was horrible.

— Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026
Horton, who married Rickman in 2012 in a private ceremony after more than 40 years together, also told the outlet that the diagnosis had been a horrible shock to them both.

— Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026

Definition of horrible

Adjective

Thank you to everyone who read or contributed to this column over the years, who reached out to me with story ideas or tips, or complimented my terrible artwork.

— Zach Wichter, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Visitors will see his Rough Riders uniform; the 1884 diary grieving his terrible loss; and the eyeglasses case, speech and shirt from the 1912 assassination attempt against him.

— CBS News, CBS News, 1 July 2026

Definition of terrible

Adjective

Spain are a more understated attacking unit, and there’s a sense that while Lamine Yamal has been excellent, there is another gear for the Barcelona 18-year-old to find, which is fairly frightening for everyone else.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 4 July 2026
For millions of individuals and businesses who rely on professional preparers, the answer portends a frightening prospect if the return preparer is dishonest.

— Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Definition of frightening

Adjective

But many did not, as the 1981 episodes tell the grim tale of a young girl named Sylvia (Barash), who is raped by a stranger wearing a horrifying clown mask.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026
Extremely scary moment on Tuesday night as A’s prospect Ryan Lasko was taken to a hospital after a horrifying outfield collision.

— Levi Weaver, New York Times, 2 July 2026

Definition of horrifying

Browse Nearby Words

nightmares

nightmarish

night owl

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“Nightmarish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nightmarish. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of nightmarish

adjective

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