Synonyms for
Awful
Definition
causing fear or dread; extremely bad or unpleasant
Synonyms & similar words
direful
terribly
tremendous
abominable
awesome
dread
nice
atrocious
unspeakable
frightful
dreaded
painful
terrible
fearful
amazing
dreadful
nasty
frightening
horrific
awing
horrendous
dire
frightfully
fearsome
aweinspiring
terrible
dreadful
horrible
atrocious
appalling
abysmal
ghastly
grim
gruesome
hideous
repulsive
shocking
unpleasant
wretched
disgusting
frightful
lousy
nasty
revolting
sickening
Synonyms by register
Antonyms
Common collocations
- awful weather
- awful smell
- awful noise
- awful lot
- awful taste
- awful experience
- awful truth
Word family
Usage note
While 'awful' originally meant 'inspiring awe', it is now almost exclusively used to mean 'very bad' or 'terrible'. The older meaning is rare and usually found in specific contexts like 'awful majesty'.
Example sentences
- The smell was so awful that I had to leave the room.
- The weather was awful, and we had to cancel our picnic.
- The movie was awful, and I fell asleep halfway through.
- I had an awful headache all day.
- The food at the restaurant was awful and I couldn't eat it.
Quotes
The most awful thing about it is not anger or cruelty, but indifference.
The greatest tragedy in life is not death, but a life without a purpose.
The awfulness of life is not so much in its tragedies as in its disgusts.