1
a
: causing horror or revulsion : gruesome
The tabloids gave all the lurid details of floating wreckage and dismembered bodies.
b
2
a
: wan and ghastly pale in appearance
frightened to death by the lurid waxworks—
Sara H. Hay
Sara H. Hay
b
: of any of several light or medium grayish colors ranging in hue from yellow to orange
3
: shining with the red glow of fire seen through smoke or cloud
lurid flames
luridly
adverb
luridness
noun
Examples of lurid in a Sentence
a lurid tale of violence and betrayal
the lurid lighting of a nightclub
The light from the fire cast a lurid glow on everything.
Recent Examples on the Web
Attorneys for the archdiocese alleged at least 30 co-schemers counseled one another on how to embellish their claims with lurid details and friendly attorneys to contact who would do little to try to corroborate their stories.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2025
At moments, the animation plays with the jagged, aggressive lines of German Expressionism: When Snow White runs into the wild forest, the trees loom out of the darkness and the eyes of wild animals flash at her in lurid, vicious cuts.
—Constance Grady, Vox, 21 Mar. 2025
The lurid details of Elma’s murder and her life become fodder for gossip, with many blaming her for what happened — a situation that often occurs today.
—Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2025
But, stylistic touches aside, a significant chunk of the film is just a run-through of the lurid details of one of the most famous murder cases in American history.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lurid
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Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2025
At moments, the animation plays with the jagged, aggressive lines of German Expressionism: When Snow White runs into the wild forest, the trees loom out of the darkness and the eyes of wild animals flash at her in lurid, vicious cuts.
—Constance Grady, Vox, 21 Mar. 2025
The lurid details of Elma’s murder and her life become fodder for gossip, with many blaming her for what happened — a situation that often occurs today.
—Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2025
But, stylistic touches aside, a significant chunk of the film is just a run-through of the lurid details of one of the most famous murder cases in American history.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lurid
Cite this Entry
“Lurid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lurid. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lurid
adjective
lu·rid
ˈlu̇r-əd 
1
a
: causing horror or disgust : gruesome
lurid tales of murder
b
: sensational sense 2
lurid book covers
2
: lifelessly pale : wan
3
: shining with the red glow of fire seen through smoke
luridly
adverb
luridness
noun
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