as in agony
a situation or state that causes great suffering and unhappiness
that 20-page exam was a nightmare
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in horrific
extremely disturbing or repellent
survivors of a nuclear holocaust would surely face a nightmare existence
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nightmare
Ian Millhiser, Vox, 15 Apr. 2025
The fungus that hijacks ants like a ghastly marionette
Penn State
The humble carpenter ant is the unsuspecting victim of this nightmare.
—New Atlas, 12 Apr. 2025
This is shaping up to be a nightmare of a weekend for the Boston Red Sox.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2025
After blowing a 17-point lead in Saturday’s home loss to the Chicago Bulls, the Heat ran into the same nightmare on Monday.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nightmare
Noun
Even this relatively narrow rule would be a logistical nightmare for public schools, for the simple reason that teachers cannot possibly anticipate everything that will happen in their classrooms and advise parents of it in advance.
—Ian Millhiser, Vox, 15 Apr. 2025
The fungus that hijacks ants like a ghastly marionette
Penn State
The humble carpenter ant is the unsuspecting victim of this nightmare.
—New Atlas, 12 Apr. 2025
This is shaping up to be a nightmare of a weekend for the Boston Red Sox.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2025
After blowing a 17-point lead in Saturday’s home loss to the Chicago Bulls, the Heat ran into the same nightmare on Monday.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nightmare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nightmare
Noun
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Ellie is stricken with agony, her reaction almost feral.—
Noel Murray,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2025
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The agony of not knowing was heartbreakingly illustrated by the plight of Oscar Johnson, of St. Charles.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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These types of horrific events by terrorists are why those of us who work for peace and stability in the world continue our mission.—
Danielle Wallace,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2025
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Of course, some eight hundred thousand did die—many in horrific ways—while the formerly enslaved were left to fend for themselves in a postwar state where apartheid was enforced by terror.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Kennedy described addiction as both a source of misery and a symptom of deeper pain, drawing from his own experience of trying to fill an emotional void with drugs.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
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But there is also a compelling symmetry to the fact that a 2-1 comeback win for Fulham at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day kicked off all of this Chelsea misery.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Surely Yellowstone, with its large predators and geothermal activity will deliver something gruesome.—
Wes Siler,
Outside Online,
19 Apr. 2025
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The gruesome spectacle that follows earns raucous cheers and applause from the slack-jawed onlookers.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But the film expands upon the game’s lore to create a unique, funhouse horror experience, a celebration of multiple horror subgenres and practical effects.—
Richard Newby,
Time,
29 Apr. 2025
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The horror movie Late Night with the Devil sparked controversy for its use of AI to make three title cards, while Oscar favorites The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez landed in hot water over their use of voice-cloning technology.—
Mathew Rodriguez,
Them.,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Then, in 1903, news broke of a shocking massacre in the town of Kishinev, in the southwestern reaches of the Russian Empire.—
Kathryn Schulz,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
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There is something shocking, almost rude, about comparing the aims of wardens and guards to those of curators and artists, but McKenzie has her reasons.—
Ray Mark Rinaldi,
Denver Post,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Payton faces one charge each of torture and assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
28 Apr. 2025
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The story said that Tidwell's testimony was also used in the sentencing of two other men: Calvin Stovall was sentenced to life in prison in 2008 on federal marijuana-trafficking charges, and Darrell Walker was sentenced to 24 years for participating in Johnson's torture and slaying.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Wade has been in a horrible slump since the season started and going in to Saturday night’s game against the Los Angeles Angels is hitting .096 (5-for-52) with a homer, seven RBIs, eight walks and an on base percentage of .213.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2025
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The Braves desperately need to add a shortstop and some offensive help amid their horrible start to the season.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nightmare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nightmare. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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