Synonyms for
Awful
Definition
causing fear or dread; extremely bad or unpleasant
Synonyms & similar words
atrocious
dread
amazing
horrific
nasty
fearsome
awing
terrible
aweinspiring
horrendous
dreaded
awfully
tremendous
nice
direful
frightening
terribly
frightful
frightfully
dire
fearful
awesome
awed
dreadful
abominable
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.