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
Isaac Azout, Miami Herald, 1 June 2024
That said, recent history tells us that teams aspiring to greatness best not be dreadful when the curtain rises on a new year.
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 5 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dreadful 
Adjective
Following a dreadful March/April during which the Miami Marlins went 7-24, Miami turned things around and enjoyed a winning May, topping it off with an 8-2 victory against the defending World Series champion Texas Rangers on Friday night behind Jesus Sanchez’s memorable offensive performance.
—Isaac Azout, Miami Herald, 1 June 2024
That said, recent history tells us that teams aspiring to greatness best not be dreadful when the curtain rises on a new year.
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 5 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dreadful
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dreadful.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near dreadful
Cite this Entry
“Dreadful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dreadful. Accessed 6 Jun. 2024.
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