1
as in horrible
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment
that's an awful thing to say about someone
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2
as in amazing
causing wonder or astonishment
the awful power of Niagara Falls
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3
as in horrific
extremely disturbing or repellent
spare me the awful details of the murder
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4
as in terrible
extremely unsatisfactory
I can't believe I spent good money to see that movie—it was awful
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as in terribly
to a great degree
that's awful sweet of you
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of awful
Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 29 Nov. 2024
The fake spike, the butt fumble, numerous other awful moments — he’s seen them all.
—David Waldstein, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2024
Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 26 May 2022
First, there is the question whether the awful-looking restraint maneuver Chauvin used was actually authorized at the time, or at least not clearly forbidden.
—D.j. Tice, Star Tribune, 20 Feb. 2021
See all Example Sentences for awful 
Adjective
Kesha has her middle fingers up for an awful ex on her latest single.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 29 Nov. 2024
The fake spike, the butt fumble, numerous other awful moments — he’s seen them all.
—David Waldstein, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2024
Adverb
Someone who has worked awful hard, has a great skill set, four years of college, four years of lifting, four years of game-planning at a high level in Division III.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 26 May 2022
First, there is the question whether the awful-looking restraint maneuver Chauvin used was actually authorized at the time, or at least not clearly forbidden.
—D.j. Tice, Star Tribune, 20 Feb. 2021
See all Example Sentences for awful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for awful
Adjective
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Although there is high demand among students for internships and other work opportunities, our education-employer ecosystem is doing a horrible job delivering them.Brandon Busteed, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
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Even as the country seeks to emerge from the legacy of those seven horrible years, however, a new government elected in 2023 has become the first since the fall of the dictatorship to justify the regime’s extrajudicial killings and violent repression.Joshua Hammer, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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What’s been amazing about series one is getting all these incredible actors together.Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Dec. 2024
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Expect opulent craft cocktails, Champagne and wine, plus caviar, oysters and light bites/shareables, presented in a space with amazing views and a Googie design.Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Eric Gordon was also supposed to provide some secondary ball-handling off the bench in theory, but the soon-to-be 36-year-old is off to a horrific start this season.Bryan Toporek, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
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Former detainees at the horrific Saydnaya prison near Damascus said Amer had disappeared in mid-April 2015 after being tortured there.Raja Razek, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Jack McBrayer plays a flustered resort concierge who delivers the terrible news to two bridezilla-esque adults who won’t be walking down the aisle in white but are still very invested in the nuptials.Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 11 Dec. 2024
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Food is terrible, the vibe is off, absolutely trash.Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
Adverb
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Foxx’s health was failing terribly, and his vitals were down.Stephanie Giang-Paunon, Fox News, 10 Dec. 2024
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That actually didn’t turn out terribly and was surprisingly bipartisan at the end.Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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In a Hungarian cartoon from around 1951, Churchill is seen as an ugly villain, ready to set households and factories on fire.Ella Feldman, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Dec. 2024
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For many people, finding the perfect ugly Christmas sweater is an annual tradition.Shea Simmons, People.com, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The residents of this wonderful city hold a special place in my heart.Melissa Noel, Essence, 16 Dec. 2024
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Watch The Small One on Disney+ Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas This short holiday special catches up with the Ice Age characters at the most wonderful time of the year … well, in theory.Sydni Ellis, People.com, 15 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Prehistoric Rock Art Sites Created 'Multisensory Experience' For Hunter-Gatherers By Aristos Georgiou Science and Health Reporter 0 A collection of prehistoric human remains has revealed gruesome insights into a brutal massacre that took place more than 4,000 years ago.Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
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Police think the gruesome gunshot death is suicide.Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Awful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/awful. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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