LURID Synonyms: 147 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'lurid' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of lurid are ghastly , grisly , gruesome , and macabre . While all these words mean "horrifying and repellent in appearance or aspect," lurid adds to gruesome the suggestion of shuddering fascination with violent death and especially with murder. // the lurid details of a crime

Q: When might 'ghastly' be a better fit than 'lurid'?

While the synonyms ghastly and lurid are close in meaning, ghastly suggests the terrifying aspects of corpses and ghosts. // a ghastly accident

Q: How do 'grisly' and 'gruesome' relate to one another, in the sense of 'lurid'?

Both grisly and gruesome suggest additionally the results of extreme violence or cruelty. // an unusually grisly murder // suffered a gruesome death

Q: Where would 'macabre' be a reasonable alternative to 'lurid'?

The synonyms macabre and lurid are sometimes interchangeable, but macabre implies a morbid preoccupation with the physical aspects of death. // a macabre tale of premature burial

lurid

adjective

ˈlu̇r-əd

Definition of lurid next

as in gruesome

extremely disturbing or repellent thank you for sparing us from the lurid details of the story

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in pallid

lacking a healthy skin color the doctor was alarmed by the patient's lurid complexion was lurid after a long winter spent indoors

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sensational

arousing a strong and usually superficial interest or emotional reaction the lurid news reports about the romance between the two Hollywood stars

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of lurid are ghastly, grisly, gruesome, and macabre. While all these words mean "horrifying and repellent in appearance or aspect," lurid adds to gruesome the suggestion of shuddering fascination with violent death and especially with murder.

the lurid details of a crime

When might ghastly be a better fit than lurid?

While the synonyms ghastly and lurid are close in meaning, ghastly suggests the terrifying aspects of corpses and ghosts.

a ghastly accident

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

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

an unusually grisly murder

suffered a gruesome death

Where would macabre be a reasonable alternative to lurid?

The synonyms macabre and lurid are sometimes interchangeable, but macabre implies a morbid preoccupation with the physical aspects of death.

a macabre tale of premature burial

Examples 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 lurid The cinematography morphs from something appropriate for a wacky comedic satire (straightforward) to lurid horror-movie tones; the score follows a similar path. —

Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 15 Oct. 2024 The tax trial was expected to showcase more potentially lurid evidence as well as details about Hunter Biden's foreign business dealings, which Republicans have seized on to try to paint the Biden family as corrupt. —

Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 6 Sep. 2024 The tax trial was expected to showcase more potentially lurid evidence as well as details about Biden’s foreign business dealings, which Republicans have seized on to try to paint the Biden family as corrupt. —

Amy Taxin, Deepa Bharath, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2024 The tax trial was expected to showcase more potentially lurid evidence as well as details about Hunter Biden’s foreign business dealings, which Republicans have seized on to try to paint the Biden family as corrupt. —

Deepa Bharath, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lurid

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lurid

Adjective

But the indictment returned by a Georgia grand jury in May detailed a gruesome confrontation in which Ibarra allegedly asphyxiated the student, hit her over the head with a rock to the point of disfiguring her skull, and pulled up her clothing, intending to rape her.

Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 20 Nov. 2024
The gruesome case garnered significant media attention after her remains were discovered, leading then-President Trump to invite Guillén's family and television crews to the White House to offer his condolences.

Kyler Alvord, People.com, 23 Oct. 2024