Definition of macabrenext

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 That modest notoriety, combined with the macabre nature of the deed and its unsolved status for decades, lured the filmmaker into an extended investigation — the end result being this feature. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026 And the violent scenes aren’t grotesque or didactic — think of Miles’ muted trumpet sound reconfigured as resurrection visuals, of his ability to play and stage ballads so well that their uptempo momentum moves into territories too macabre to mute. Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026 Brother Giulio Cesareo, spokesman for the Franciscans in Assisi, said the exposition wasn’t a macabre celebration of the dead. ABC News, 22 Feb. 2026 This traveling oddities festival features artists, vendors, performers, educators and guest speakers, all working to create a macabre and magical experience for attendees. Travis Pinson, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for macabre
Recent Examples of Synonyms for macabre
Adjective
  • Like its gruesome predecessors, his latest full-length work features adorably designed anthropomorphic animals (and mushrooms) navigating bleak realities and confronting existentialist concerns.
    Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 15 May 2026
  • Authorities were hunting for three days for the suspect after a gruesome late-night stabbing murder on Sunday in a laundry room in the Nordheim Court apartments.
    Peter D'Abrosca, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
Adjective
  • And also, the way that the wish is impacting Bear is ultimately horrific.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 18 May 2026
  • But a new era of DEI was ushered in after the horrific murder of George Floyd.
    Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Adjective
  • McGregor first fought at welterweight in 2016 in a shocking loss to Diaz, then defeated Diaz later that year, again in the 170-pound division.
    Mark Puleo, New York Times, 17 May 2026
  • But at the center of it all is Navarrette, whose fearless turn grounds the film’s shocking premise in something both heartbreaking and haunting.
    Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Macabre.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/macabre. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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