macabre

adjective

mə-ˈkäb How to pronounce macabre (audio)
Definition of macabrenext
as in gruesome
extremely disturbing or repellent a macabre movie about animated corpses

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of macabre are ghastly, grisly, gruesome, and lurid. While all these words mean "horrifying and repellent in appearance or aspect," macabre implies a morbid preoccupation with the physical aspects of death.

a macabre tale of premature burial

When would ghastly be a good substitute for macabre?

The synonyms ghastly and macabre are sometimes interchangeable, but ghastly suggests the terrifying aspects of corpses and ghosts.

a ghastly accident

How are the words grisly and gruesome related as synonyms of macabre?

Both grisly and gruesome suggest additionally the results of extreme violence or cruelty.

an unusually grisly murder
suffered a gruesome death

How do lurid and gruesome relate to one another, in the sense of macabre?

Lurid adds to gruesome the suggestion of shuddering fascination with violent death and especially with murder.

the lurid details of a crime

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 macabre Now, Porsha is sharpening her knives before going in for the kill, adding a hilarious edge to an already delightfully macabre episode. — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 20 July 2026 This is hard to believe, since the trails are off limits and marked with macabre mine danger signs. — Marzio G. Mian, Vanity Fair, 16 June 2026 Simon Helberg is looking back on the 'strange, macabre version' of the Big Bang Theory pilot which never aired. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 June 2026 The original sitcom followed the goings-on of a macabre family and has since spawned reboots, movies, reunions, and all kinds of delightfully dark iterations. — Caroline Reilly, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for macabre
Recent Examples of Synonyms for macabre
  1. gruesome
  2. horrific
  3. shocking
Adjective
  • In 1987, the United Klans of America was ordered to pay $7 million for the gruesome 1981 murder of Michael Donald, a Black teenager whose body was found hanging from a tree in Mobile, Alabama.
    — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Her credits include Obi-Wan, Rebel Moon and The Orville, as well as the gruesome culinary creations of Grotesquerie and drinkable blood for American Horror Story.
    — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of gruesome
Adjective
  • And because Kennerly has captured moments both triumphant and horrific, a warning, some of these pictures are graphic.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The offseason has been horrific at UNC — will the football improve?
    — Bob Ferrante, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of horrific
Adjective
  • In front of adoring fans in Shanghai, the UFC veteran and perennial contender in the UFC bantamweight division scored a shocking upset win over Umar Nurmagomedov in the main event on Saturday.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The August nonfarm payrolls report that releases Friday will be coming off a low set of expectations, given the shocking loss of jobs in July.
    — Sarah Min, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of shocking

Browse Nearby Words

mac
macabre
macaron
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Cite this Entry

“Macabre.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/macabre. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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