Synonyms for
Awful
Definition
causing fear or dread; extremely bad or unpleasant
Synonyms & similar words
fearful
awing
unspeakable
frightful
fearsome
frightfully
amazing
horrendous
aweinspiring
painful
dread
nice
dreaded
awesome
terrible
frightening
nasty
tremendous
atrocious
horrific
dreadful
abominable
dire
direful
terribly
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'.
Compare "awful" with another word →
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.