AWFUL Synonyms: 429 Similar and Opposite Words

awful 1 of 2

adjective

ˈȯ-fəl

Definition of awful

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

as in amazing

causing wonder or astonishment the awful power of Niagara Falls

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in horrific

extremely disturbing or repellent spare me the awful details of the murder

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Human rights organizations estimate 7,000 — still awful, obviously. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026 Do not, however, confuse this with The Ritual from 2025, an extremely awful exorcism movie with Al Pacino. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 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

Adjective

As horrible news stories go, few could compare with what happened on a Greek holiday island Monday.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ terrible, horrible, no good, very bad reelection campaign just got worse after Wednesday night’s debate in Sherman Oaks.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of horrible

Adjective

But even without it, there seems to be some truth to the idea that if these teams were terrible businesses, they wouldn’t be sold for billions of dollars.

— Evan Drellich, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Not by tightening the siege on Iran directly, but by tightening the siege on those who help this regime, this terrible dictatorship.

— Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of terrible

Adjective

The seventh-round rookie threw an ugly interception in the first quarter, while backpedaling and off his back foot.

— Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026
Several leading Democrats, including Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries, issued statements denouncing Piker’s ugly warning to the Jews as a barely veiled anti-Semitic threat.

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of ugly

Adjective

Nature aside, Cape Town boasts a wonderful juxtaposition of old world architecture and contemporary design across its vibrant neighborhoods.

— Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Aug. 2026
Both films had wonderful ensembles, ingenious writing and an unmistakable sense of occasion.

— Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of wonderful

Adjective

In 1987, the United Klans of America was ordered to pay $7 million for the gruesome 1981 murder of Michael Donald, a Black teenager whose body was found hanging from a tree in Mobile, Alabama.

— Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
Her credits include Obi-Wan, Rebel Moon and The Orville, as well as the gruesome culinary creations of Grotesquerie and drinkable blood for American Horror Story.

— Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of gruesome

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awestruck

awful

awfully

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Style

“Awful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/awful. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of awful

adjective

adverb

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