dreadful
1 of 2adjective
dread·ful ˈdred-fəl 
1
a
: inspiring dread (see dread entry 2 sense 1a) : causing great and oppressive fear
a dreadful attack
b
: inspiring awe or reverence
2
: extremely bad, distasteful, unpleasant, or shocking
a dreadful idea
a dreadful performance
dreadful behavior
The food was absolutely dreadful.
3
: extreme
dreadful disorder
dreadfully
ˈdred-f(ə-)lē
adverb dreadfulness
ˈdred-fəl-nəs
noun dreadful
2 of 2noun
publishing
: a cheap and sensational (see sensational sense 2) story or periodical
Synonyms
Adjective
- alarming
- dire
- direful
- dread
- fearful
- fearsome
- forbidding
- formidable
- frightening
- frightful
- ghastly
- hair-raising
- horrendous
- horrible
- horrifying
- intimidating
- redoubtable
- scary
- shocking
- spine-chilling
- terrible
- terrifying
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective Her performance was absolutely dreadful. Those children have such dreadful manners.
Recent Examples on the Web
Mitchell Nathanson, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2022 At an annual meeting at New York’s Plaza Hotel, investors harangued Mr. Robertson about the fund’s dreadful performance. Gregory Zuckerman, WSJ, 23 Aug. 2022 The Proud Boys were some of the most motivated of foot soldiers in planning and executing the violence that shocked the nation that dreadful day. Maya Wiley, The New Republic, 9 June 2022 On that dreadful day at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, our beloved teacher was on her way to California to spend her retirement years near her daughter. Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 25 May 2022 Lisa was not yet born on that dreadful day Denise, just 11 years old, died--long with Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, and Carole Robertson. Roy S. Johnson | Rjohnson@al.com, al, 4 Apr. 2022 Her grandfather saved many lives that dreadful day in American history. Essence, 22 Nov. 2021 Whitewashing the events of January 6 will not erase what Americans actually witnessed on that dreadful day. Charlie Dent, CNN, 4 May 2021 This is a mid-range phone—a market segment where the cameras are usually dreadful—so Google's competent camera is acceptable. Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, 21 July 2022 Ed Stockly, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2022 The comical bumps up against the chaotic, the domestic beats back the dreadful. Ed Stockly, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2022 Like many people who live in the suburbs, there’s no burning desire to get back on a bus or train and waste two to three hours going back and forth in a dreadful, soul-sucking commute to the city every day. Jack Kelly, Forbes, 13 Apr. 2022 The comical bumps up against the chaotic, the domestic beats back the dreadful. Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2022 But the Blazers minus Anfernee Simons in the lineup are next-level dreadful. oregonlive, 7 Mar. 2022 For many people who live in the suburbs, there’s no burning desire to get back on a bus or train and waste two to three hours going back and forth in a dreadful, soul-sucking commute to the city each and every day. Jack Kelly, Forbes, 22 May 2021 The Rangers just completed their fourth consecutive losing season and packed a whole lot of dreadful into just 60 games. Evan Grant, Dallas News, 30 Sep. 2020 Only blue shells in Mario Kart games produce more pained utterances of swear words amongst users of interactive software than that dreadful, infuriating wiggle mode. Samuel Axon, Ars Technica, 28 Sep. 2020 See More
Adjective
Minor league baseball players are subject to some of the poorest wages and most dreadful working conditions in America. Mitchell Nathanson, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2022 At an annual meeting at New York’s Plaza Hotel, investors harangued Mr. Robertson about the fund’s dreadful performance. Gregory Zuckerman, WSJ, 23 Aug. 2022 The Proud Boys were some of the most motivated of foot soldiers in planning and executing the violence that shocked the nation that dreadful day. Maya Wiley, The New Republic, 9 June 2022 On that dreadful day at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, our beloved teacher was on her way to California to spend her retirement years near her daughter. Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 25 May 2022 Lisa was not yet born on that dreadful day Denise, just 11 years old, died--long with Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, and Carole Robertson. Roy S. Johnson | Rjohnson@al.com, al, 4 Apr. 2022 Her grandfather saved many lives that dreadful day in American history. Essence, 22 Nov. 2021 Whitewashing the events of January 6 will not erase what Americans actually witnessed on that dreadful day. Charlie Dent, CNN, 4 May 2021 This is a mid-range phone—a market segment where the cameras are usually dreadful—so Google's competent camera is acceptable. Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, 21 July 2022 Noun
The comical bumps up against the chaotic, the domestic beats back the dreadful. Ed Stockly, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2022 The comical bumps up against the chaotic, the domestic beats back the dreadful. Ed Stockly, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2022 Like many people who live in the suburbs, there’s no burning desire to get back on a bus or train and waste two to three hours going back and forth in a dreadful, soul-sucking commute to the city every day. Jack Kelly, Forbes, 13 Apr. 2022 The comical bumps up against the chaotic, the domestic beats back the dreadful. Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2022 But the Blazers minus Anfernee Simons in the lineup are next-level dreadful. oregonlive, 7 Mar. 2022 For many people who live in the suburbs, there’s no burning desire to get back on a bus or train and waste two to three hours going back and forth in a dreadful, soul-sucking commute to the city each and every day. Jack Kelly, Forbes, 22 May 2021 The Rangers just completed their fourth consecutive losing season and packed a whole lot of dreadful into just 60 games. Evan Grant, Dallas News, 30 Sep. 2020 Only blue shells in Mario Kart games produce more pained utterances of swear words amongst users of interactive software than that dreadful, infuriating wiggle mode. Samuel Axon, Ars Technica, 28 Sep. 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective
see dread entry 1
Noun
see dread entry 1
First Known Use
Adjective
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun
circa 1873, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing dreadful
Kids Definition
dreadful
adjective
dread·ful ˈdred-fəl
1
: causing fear
a dreadful storm
2
: very unpleasant
a dreadful cold
dreadful
adjective
1
as in terrifying
causing fear a dreadful hurricane Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- terrifying
- horrible
- terrible
- frightening
- formidable
- scary
- intimidating
- dread
- horrifying
- alarming
- ghastly
- shocking
- horrendous
- fearful
- frightful
- dire
- eerie
- startling
- direful
- fearsome
- creepy
- gruesome
- forbidding
- trying
- troubling
- eery
- redoubtable
- spine-chilling
- disturbing
- hideous
- hair-raising
- threatening
- unnerving
- discouraging
- daunting
- awful
- horrid
- disconcerting
- demoralizing
- appalling
- perturbing
- weird
- disquieting
- dismaying
- nightmarish
- distressing
- grisly
- atrocious
- monstrous
- macabre
- bone-chilling
- grewsome
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- reassuring
- comforting
- soothing
- calming
- relaxing
- consoling
- tranquilizing
- inviting
- quieting
- tranquillizing
- lulling
- nonthreatening
- nonintimidating
- pacifying
2
as in awful
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment a dreadful performance of a beautiful piece of music Synonyms & Similar Words
- awful
- horrible
- ugly
- hideous
- disgusting
- sickening
- shocking
- obscene
- obnoxious
- nasty
- offensive
- unpleasant
- terrible
- horrid
- appalling
- horrendous
- abominable
- evil
- horrific
- loathsome
- gruesome
- odious
- revolting
- abhorrent
- repulsive
- gross
- scandalous
- repugnant
- noxious
- distasteful
- nauseating
- undesirable
- nauseous
- vile
- foul
- noisome
- repellent
- disturbing
- rancid
- fulsome
- miserable
- monstrous
- horrifying
- grim
- hateful
- ghastly
- disagreeable
- unwanted
- atrocious
- detestable
- frightful
- repellant
- nightmarish
- heinous
- objectionable
- unspeakable
- despicable
- contemptible
- execrable
- grisly
- unwholesome
- lousy
- sick
- unhealthy
- barbarous
- exceptionable
- unwelcome
- macabre
- lurid
- ungodly
- unholy
- upsetting
- brackish
- sickly
- unsavory
- dislikeable
- hard
- dislikable
- sickish
- uncivilized
- distressing
- unchristian
- off-putting
- grewsome
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- pleasant
- innocuous
- delightful
- acceptable
- desirable
- delicious
- agreeable
- nice
- sweet
- heavenly
- enjoyable
- inoffensive
- alluring
- attractive
- satisfying
- dreamy
- pleasurable
- congenial
- appealing
- gratifying
- delectable
- luscious
- felicitous
- pleasing
- darling
- welcome
- blessed
- likeable
- likable
- palatable
- blest
- savoury
- unobjectionable
- unexceptionable
- dulcet
- savory
- inviting
- salutary
- salubrious
- wholesome
- healthful
- healthy
- restorative
- delightsome
3
as in horrific
extremely disturbing or repellent dreadful news of a crime wave in the neighborhood Synonyms & Similar Words
- horrific
- gruesome
- terrible
- horrible
- nightmare
- shocking
- awful
- horrifying
- hideous
- frightening
- terrifying
- terrific
- horrid
- appalling
- ghastly
- horrendous
- nightmarish
- atrocious
- frightful
- scary
- grisly
- sickening
- monstrous
- disgusting
- macabre
- lurid
- fearful
- alarming
- ugly
- dire
- loathsome
- abominable
- direful
- revolting
- grewsome
- grotesque
- formidable
- intimidating
- obscene
- deplorable
- heinous
- disagreeable
- odious
- unspeakable
- fearsome
- abhorrent
- repulsive
- offensive
- vile
- repugnant
- evil
- forbidding
- nauseating
- obnoxious
- gut-wrenching
- distasteful
- redoubtable
- noxious
- bloodcurdling
- hair-raising
- noisome
- heart-stopping
- unsightly
- foul
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- pleasant
- delightful
- delicious
- attractive
- enjoyable
- agreeable
- satisfying
- pleasurable
- appealing
- welcome
- pleasing
- delectable
- enticing
- inviting
- comforting
- soothing
- cheering
4
as in terrible
extreme in degree, power, or effect the dreadful heat of the desert Synonyms & Similar Words
- terrible
- intense
- intensive
- ferocious
- fierce
- deep
- furious
- ghastly
- heavy
- violent
- frightful
- vicious
- profound
- acute
- fearful
- excruciating
- fearsome
- explosive
- exquisite
- blistering
- almighty
- vehement
- hellacious
- hard
- intensified
- keen
- heightened
- harsh
- aggravated
- severe
- heavy-duty
- enhanced
- concentrated
- accentuated
- magnified
- deepened
- stressed
- emphasized
- exhaustive
- thorough
- rigorous
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- feeble
- weak
- light
- moderate
- soft
- superficial
- shallow
- eased
- decreased
- qualified
- diminished
- reduced
- subdued
- toned (down)
- moderated
- lightened
- lessened
- alleviated
- abated
5
as in sheer
having no exceptions or restrictions made a dreadful mess of his first marriage Synonyms & Similar Words
- sheer
- utter
- unconditional
- simple
- absolute
- complete
- pure
- damned
- total
- very
- damn
- outright
- definite
- perfect
- deadly
- real
- horrible
- profound
- unmitigated
- huge
- downright
- terrible
- endless
- thoroughgoing
- crashing
- categorical
- stark
- regular
- thorough
- stone
- unadulterated
- blank
- unqualified
- blooming
- fair
- constant
- unalloyed
- clean
- plumb
- consummate
- arrant
- categoric
- out-and-out
- rank
- straight-out
- flat-out
- dead
- bodacious
- flat
- eternal
- perpetual
- genuine
- all-out
- extreme
- veritable
- hopeless
- classic
- authentic
- frightful
- unremitting
- extraordinary
- terrific
- main
- undying
- unrestricted
- supreme
- habitual
- superlative
- confirmed
- inveterate
- surpassing
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- uncertain
- doubtful
- questionable
- dubious
- restricted
- qualified
- equivocal