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grotesque

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word grotesque different from other adjectives like it?

The words bizarre and fantastic are common synonyms of grotesque. While all three words mean "conceived, made, or carried out without adherence to truth or reality," grotesque may apply to what is conventionally ugly but artistically effective or it may connote ludicrous awkwardness or incongruity often with sinister or tragic overtones.

grotesque statues on the cathedral
though grieving, she made a grotesque attempt at a smile

When could bizarre be used to replace grotesque?

In some situations, the words bizarre and grotesque are roughly equivalent. However, bizarre applies to the sensationally strange and implies violence of contrast or incongruity of combination.

a bizarre medieval castle in the heart of a modern city

When would fantastic be a good substitute for grotesque?

The words fantastic and grotesque are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fantastic may connote extravagance in conception or ingenuity of decorative invention.

dreamed up fantastic rumors

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of grotesque
Adjective
Newsom has ordered an investigation, but this looks like grotesque mismanagement. The Editors, National Review, 13 Jan. 2025 Where the r-slur is concerned, one recalls Trump’s grotesque imitation in 2015 of New York Times reporter Serge Kovaleski, who has arthrogryposis, a congenital joint condition. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
Washington National Cathedral, a famous example of Neo-Gothic architecture, is known for its collection of more than a hundred gargoyles and grotesques, including funny ones. Kate McGregor, House Beautiful, 14 July 2023 An element of the grotesque inflects Stettheimer’s version of the American rococo, and one wonders whether this is part of its Americanness, connecting her to John Currin as much as to the nineteenth-century circus poster. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2022 See all Example Sentences for grotesque 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grotesque
Adjective
  • Sometimes the smallest player can elicit the loudest roar from the Allen Fieldhouse crowd.
    Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 29 Jan. 2025
  • Silencing background music is more difficult at loud volumes but works better at lower ones.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • This underscores an ugly truth as to why California’s housing is grossly and unnecessarily expensive, and in short supply.
    Steve Forbes, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
  • An ugly opt in: If there is no trade by Feb. 6, Butler then regains a degree of leverage with the right to invoke his $52.4 million player option next season.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The creature towers over one of Peter's fellow students which spurs him into action, distracting the monster long enough for Dr. Strange to wrangle it and haul it back through one of his signature portals.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
  • In hindsight, the monster struck Persin as almost a little Picasso.
    Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Ideally, opt for an eco-friendly detergent without harsh chemicals.
    Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Jan. 2025
  • So, if the Dodgers transition from the team that was unable to win it in a 162-game regular season to a dynasty similar to the Yankees dynasty, then the complaints of harsher regulations against the Dodgers may be warranted.
    Tyler Small, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Rust is a big deal, as is the fact that many Panteras have been mangled by previous owners bestowing hideous enhancements (think bad celebrity plastic surgery) on otherwise desirable cars.
    Robert Ross, Robb Report, 17 Jan. 2025
  • And in reading on, it will be said up front that government spending is the most hideous, economy-sapping tax of all.
    John Tamny, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • And his finest work, the 1990 television soap opera Twin Peaks, could also be considered a sensitive, comedic Rorschach test, given its all-American grotesqueries — the definition of his artistic expression.
    Armond White, National Review, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Strauss’s roguish grotesqueries were beautifully played, with warm coziness to the thicket of intertwining lines in the winds.
    Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The about-face was a long time coming, but still felt jarring thanks to the rushed nature of the show in its final two seasons.
    Erik Kain, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
  • The bottom foam layer absorbs the impact energy of the sole hitting hard, jarring terrain, while the upper layer soaks up energy from each step to repurpose into the liftoff of the next step.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Smears on non-sensor areas of the tiara are like bug debris on your hood, aesthetically unpleasing but not harmful.
    Eric Tegler, Popular Mechanics, 1 Oct. 2019
  • His side's inability to finish off the game against Burnley on the other hand was very unpleasing.
    SI.com, SI.com, 1 Feb. 2018

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Thesaurus Entries Near grotesque

Cite this Entry

“Grotesque.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grotesque. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

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