1 dreadful | Definition of dreadful

dreadful

adjective
dread·​ful | \ ˈdred-fÉ™l How to pronounce dreadful (audio) \

Definition of dreadful

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1a : inspiring dread (see dread entry 2 sense 1a) : causing great and oppressive fear a dreadful attack
b : inspiring awe or reverence
2 : extremely bad, distasteful, unpleasant, or shocking a dreadful idea a dreadful performance dreadful behavior The food was absolutely dreadful.
3 : extreme dreadful disorder

dreadful

noun

Definition of dreadful (Entry 2 of 2)

publishing
: a cheap and sensational (see sensational sense 2) story or periodical

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Other Words from dreadful

Adjective

dreadfully \ ˈdred-​f(É™-​)lÄ“ How to pronounce dreadfully (audio) \ adverb
dreadfulness \ ˈdred-​fÉ™l-​nÉ™s How to pronounce dreadfulness (audio) \ noun

Examples of dreadful in a Sentence

Adjective

Her performance was absolutely dreadful. Those children have such dreadful manners.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Spurs slumped to a 1-0 home defeat against Newcastle last weekend, continuing a dreadful run of form that has seen them win just four of their last 15 league games dating back to the end of last season. SI.com, "Paul Merson Predicts Thumping Win for Arsenal in Upcoming North London Derby," 28 Aug. 2019 Since the dreadful Miami Marlins scored five runs off him in four innings, Buehler has compiled 19 strikeouts to two walks without allowing a run in 13 innings. Los Angeles Times, "Dodgers hack away their scoring slump in blowout win over Padres," 27 Aug. 2019 Trivino, who’d been pitching better of late after a dreadful June, gave up a two-run double by Kevin Pillar, then singles by Donovan Solano and Brandon Crawford, the latter of which sent in another run. Susan Slusser, SFChronicle.com, "Giants win when A’s bullpen collapses," 24 Aug. 2019 Thankfully, researchers at Stanford University are creating a better barrier of defense against the dreadful heat smartphones both create themselves and endure in the elements. Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, "This Science Hack Could Prevent Your Phone from Overheating," 22 Aug. 2019 With dreadful timing, it was announced a few days later that fares would go up again next year, by 2.8%. The Economist, "How rising rail fares and falling punctuality undermine confidence," 15 Aug. 2019 Conditions aboard the ships were dreadful; a lack of food and water, physical abuse, and severe overcrowding led to the death of approximately 30 percent of the captives on any given ship. National Geographic, "400 years ago, enslaved Africans first arrived in Virginia," 13 Aug. 2019 The meme-to-movie journey that's most comparable to Momo's, though, is Slender Man, the oughties internet boogie man who tragically inspired real-life murder and a 2018 movie that was, in a word, dreadful. Julie Muncy, WIRED, "Why the Momo Challenge Film Might Beat the Meme Movie Curse," 12 July 2019 Argentina so far has been dreadful, inhabiting the worst of all worlds. Jonathan Wilson, SI.com, "How Has it Come to This for Argentina?," 22 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dreadful.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of dreadful

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

circa 1873, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for dreadful

Adjective

see dread entry 1

Noun

see dread entry 1

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More Definitions for dreadful

dreadful

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of dreadful

: very bad or unpleasant

dreadful

adjective
dread·​ful | \ ˈdred-fÉ™l How to pronounce dreadful (audio) \

Kids Definition of dreadful

1 : causing fear a dreadful storm
2 : very unpleasant a dreadful cold

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More from Merriam-Webster on dreadful

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for dreadful

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