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
Synonyms
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
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—Catherine Reagor, The Arizona Republic, 16 Feb. 2025
Franco’s story could easily have been the skeleton for a lurid erotic thriller about a possessive rich American woman claiming ownership of a Mexican boy toy a decade or more younger than her.
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This movie has dark and lurid reveals, and a supporting cast that boasts the likes of Lorraine Bracco and Tony Goldwyn.
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On one occasion, Aldous Huxley lectured on the lurid life of the Renaissance visionary Carlo Gesualdo.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
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Catherine Reagor, The Arizona Republic, 16 Feb. 2025
Franco’s story could easily have been the skeleton for a lurid erotic thriller about a possessive rich American woman claiming ownership of a Mexican boy toy a decade or more younger than her.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2025
This movie has dark and lurid reveals, and a supporting cast that boasts the likes of Lorraine Bracco and Tony Goldwyn.
—Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2025
On one occasion, Aldous Huxley lectured on the lurid life of the Renaissance visionary Carlo Gesualdo.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for lurid
Dictionary Entries Near lurid
Cite this Entry
“Lurid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lurid. Accessed 20 Feb. 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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