Ghastliness — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

Meaning & Definition of Ghastliness

Ghastliness (adjective)

terrifyingly horrible to the senses, frightening
intensely unpleasant, disagreeable, or objectionable
resembling a ghost

Ghastliness (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

the quality of inspiring intense dread or dismay

"the ghastliness of the Holocaust can scarcely be described"

similar: atrociousness, atrocity, awfulness, dreadfulness, frightfulness, grisliness, gruesomeness, hideousness, horridness, horror, monstrosity, repulsiveness

related: badness, baseness, depravedness, depravity, diabolicalness, evil, evilness, foulness, heinousness, immorality, iniquitousness, iniquity, invidiousness, sinfulness, ungodliness, viciousness, vileness, wickedness, accursedness, cursedness, deplorableness, despicableness, detestableness, execrableness, hatefulness, loathsomeness, reprehensibleness, creepiness, eeriness, fearfulness, fearsomeness, ghostliness, ghoulishness, scariness, agony, anguish, hellishness, misery, torment, torture

near: agreeableness, delightfulness, pleasantness, pleasurableness, allurement, appeal, attraction, attractiveness, desirability, desirableness

Related Entry: Ghastly (adjective)

Ghastly is a different word from Ghastliness. The synonyms below are for ghastly, not for ghastliness.

extremely disturbing or repellent

"a ghastly murder that shocked even hard-bitten detectives"

similar: appalling, atrocious, awful, dreadful, frightful, grisly, gruesome, hideous, horrendous, horrible, horrid, horrific, horrifying, lurid, macabre, monstrous, nightmare, nightmarish, shocking, terrible, terrific

related: alarming, bloodcurdling, dire, direful, fearful, fearsome, forbidding, formidable, frightening, gut-wrenching, hair-raising, heart-stopping, intimidating, redoubtable, scary, terrifying, abhorrent, deplorable, disagreeable, disgusting, distasteful, loathsome, nauseating, noisome, obnoxious, obscene, offensive, repugnant, repulsive, revolting, sickening, abominable, evil, foul, heinous, noxious, odious, unspeakable, vile, grotesque, ugly, unsightly

near: agreeable, appealing, attractive, delectable, delicious, delightful, enjoyable, enticing, inviting, pleasant, pleasing, pleasurable, satisfying, welcome, cheering, comforting, soothing
extreme in degree, power, or effect

"I'm afraid that there's been a ghastly misunderstanding"

similar: acute, almighty, blistering, deep, dreadful, excruciating, explosive, exquisite, fearful, fearsome, ferocious, fierce, frightful, furious, hard, heavy, heavy-duty, hellacious, intense, intensive, keen, profound, terrible, vehement, vicious, violent

related: accentuated, aggravated, concentrated, deepened, emphasized, enhanced, heightened, intensified, magnified, stressed, exhaustive, thorough, harsh, rigorous, severe

opposite: light, moderate, soft

near: feeble, weak, shallow, superficial, moderated, qualified, alleviated, eased, lightened, toned (down), abated, decreased, diminished, lessened, reduced, subdued
causing fear

"a ghastly crime that made local residents afraid to go out at night"

similar: alarming, dire, direful, dread, dreadful, fearful, fearsome, forbidding, formidable, frightening, frightful, hair-raising, horrendous, horrible, horrifying, intimidating, redoubtable, scary, shocking, spine-chilling, terrible, terrifying

related: daunting, demoralizing, disconcerting, discouraging, dismaying, disquieting, distressing, disturbing, perturbing, startling, threatening, troubling, trying, unnerving, bone-chilling, creepy, eerie, weird, appalling, atrocious, awful, grisly, gruesome, hideous, horrid, macabre, monstrous, nightmarish

near: calming, comforting, consoling, inviting, lulling, pacifying, quieting, reassuring, relaxing, soothing, tranquilizing, nonintimidating, nonthreatening

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Ghastliness

The most common words with a similar meaning to Ghastliness:

atrociousness, atrocity, awfulness, dreadfulness, frightfulness, grisliness, gruesomeness, hideousness, horridness, horror, monstrosity, repulsiveness

Related Words for Ghastliness

Near Antonyms of Ghastliness

agreeableness, delightfulness, pleasantness, pleasurableness, allurement, appeal, attraction, attractiveness, desirability, desirableness

Word Forms of Ghastliness

Inflections: ghastlier, ghastliest

Derived words: ghastliness (noun), ghastly (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Ghastliness

Middle English gastly, from gasten to terrify gast

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Ghastliness

What does "Ghastliness" mean?

"Ghastliness" means terrifyingly horrible to the senses, frightening. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: terrifyingly horrible to the senses, frightening.

What is another word for "Ghastliness"?

Other words for "Ghastliness" include atrociousness, atrocity, awfulness, dreadfulness, frightfulness, grisliness, gruesomeness and hideousness. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Ghastliness" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Ghastliness"?

There are 52 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Ghastliness". Common alternatives include atrociousness, atrocity, awfulness, dreadfulness, frightfulness, grisliness, gruesomeness, hideousness, horridness and horror.

How do you use "Ghastliness" in a sentence?

Examples of "Ghastliness" in a sentence: "the ghastliness of the Holocaust can scarcely be described".

Is "Ghastliness" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Ghastliness" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Ghastliness"?

"Ghastliness" is pronounced /ˈgast-lē/ and divided into syllables as ghast·ly.

What is the origin of the word "Ghastliness"?

"Ghastliness" comes from Middle English gastly, from gasten to terrify gast. First known use: 14th century.

What is another word for "Ghastliness" meaning "the quality of inspiring intense dread or dismay"?

When "Ghastliness" (noun) means the quality of inspiring intense dread or dismay, synonyms include atrociousness, atrocity, awfulness, dreadfulness, frightfulness and grisliness.