Synonyms for

Nightmares

Verb / ˈnaɪˌtmerz / Another word for nightmares — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

a frightening or unpleasant dream

Synonyms & similar words

incubus nightmare horror terror fright phobia panic fear apparition hallucination delusion illusion vision fantasy

Synonyms by register

Formal

terrors phantasms horrors

Informal

bad dreams scary dreams bogeymen

Literary

phantasmagoria specters ghouls

Antonyms

dreams visions daydreams reveries slumbers peaceful sleep

Common collocations

  • terrible nightmares
  • awful nightmares
  • vivid nightmares
  • recurring nightmares
  • nightmares about
  • suffer from nightmares
  • wake up from nightmares

Word family

noun nightmare
adjective nightmarish

Usage note

Nightmares are intensely frightening dreams. While 'nightmare' can be used metaphorically for a terrible experience, its primary meaning relates to sleep.

Example sentences

  1. I had a nightmare about giant spiders last night.
  2. She was scared to go to bed for fear of having a nightmare.
  3. The horror movie gave me nightmares.
  4. The little boy woke up crying from a nightmare.
  5. I don't like watching scary movies because they give me nightmares.

Quotes

  • 'I have nightmares about hell, where all I do is add up numbers and try to have conversations with people like you.' - Bill Murray
  • 'I think nightmares are a window into the soul.' - Stephen King
  • 'The best way to avoid a nightmare is to just stay awake.' - Unknown

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