1
a
: inspiring dread (see dread entry 2 sense 1a) : causing great and oppressive fear
a dreadful attack
2
: extremely bad, distasteful, unpleasant, or shocking
a dreadful idea
a dreadful performance
dreadful behavior
The food was absolutely dreadful.
3
: extreme
dreadful disorder
publishing
: a cheap and sensational (see sensational sense 2) story or periodical
Synonyms
Examples of dreadful in a Sentence
Adjective
Her performance was absolutely dreadful.
Those children have such dreadful manners.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sam Meredith, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2024
Jonathan Gannon’s defense has been particularly dreadful on third down, allowing opponents to convert 52.1% of their opportunities.
—Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 31 Oct. 2024
Tony Morley, Time, 28 Dec. 2022
The comical bumps up against the chaotic, the domestic beats back the dreadful.
—Ed Stockly, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2022
See all Example Sentences for dreadful 
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Adjective
By stark contrast, Manchester United have endured a dreadful start to their Premier League campaign.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2024
Jonathan Gannon’s defense has been particularly dreadful on third down, allowing opponents to convert 52.1% of their opportunities.
—Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
In 1989, there were 892,055 cases of Guinea worm disease, a dreadful and debilitating waterborne parasitic infection historically endemic to Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
—Tony Morley, Time, 28 Dec. 2022
The comical bumps up against the chaotic, the domestic beats back the dreadful.
—Ed Stockly, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2022
See all Example Sentences for dreadful
Dictionary Entries Near dreadful
Cite this Entry
“Dreadful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dreadful. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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