gnarly

adjective

Definition of gnarlynext
slang
as in ugly

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of gnarly She's confronted with all sorts of horrors, including terrifying mannequin-like creatures, a flowery monster, and some pretty gnarly effects. — Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025 Come to find, that spiral horn isn’t merely decorative, but doubles as a gnarly weapon, with which these two larger and far more intimidating-looking unicorns impale their prey. — Peter Debruge, Variety, 9 Mar. 2025 In the second act, an annoying teen with a peanut allergy comes face to face with the killer, who brandishes a jar of peanut butter menacingly — a perfect opportunity for a bit of gnarly comeuppance, except that the filmmakers cut away. — The New York Times, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025 Particularly gnarly cases of recurrence might require taking a preventive low-dose antibiotic daily for up to six months. — Korin Miller, SELF, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gnarly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gnarly
  1. ugly
  2. hideous
  3. disgusting
  4. hellish
  5. loathsome
  6. horrid
  7. beastly
  8. hateful
Adjective
  • The first outcome would be a massive win for the United States, while the second would likely be far uglier.
    — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2025
  • That pollution causes an ugly brown smog to blanket the skyline on hot summer days and causes people, especially those with respiratory problems, to struggle to breathe.
    — Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of ugly
Adjective
  • The month leading up to their Champions League tie with Real Madrid has been absolutely hideous.
    — Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The architectural vandalism was hideous and heartbreaking to watch, inhumane civic renewal by wrecking ball in the discredited vein of Robert Moses.
    — Frank Rich, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of hideous
Adjective
  • Do not tell the patient disgusting hospital stories about your own operations or procedures.
    — Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Using that platform to engage in partisan attacks and accuse former Department leadership of weaponizing law enforcement is a disgusting betrayal of those values.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of disgusting
Adjective
  • Boston's hellish housing market could soon get even trickier to navigate.
    — Steph Solis, Axios, 1 Apr. 2025
  • During the hellish month preceding his murder, the boy was also denied his prescription medications, jurors heard at the trial.
    — Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 24 Mar. 2025
Definition of hellish
Adjective
  • Needless to say, no one who has any standards whatsoever should want to have anything to do with these loathsome cretins.
    — The Editors, National Review, 3 Mar. 2025
  • America was the future, and the future was loathsome.
    — James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
Definition of loathsome
Adjective
  • Fears of an economic recession have been cited as a catalyst for the stock market’s horrid run this week.
    — Fred Imbert, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2025
  • He was yanked against the Capitals after allowing five goals in a horrid appearance on Saturday.
    — Josh Yohe, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of horrid
Adjective
  • This would be a more monumental climb given the beastly nature of the Western Conference.
    — Mirjam Swanson, Orange County Register, 30 Jan. 2025
  • Talbot’s reluctant transformation into the title monster and Jack Pierce’s special-effects makeup remain iconic, responsible for the dominant cultural perception of how a werewolf looks and feels — even as cinematic werewolves have become beastlier in the decades since.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 Jan. 2025
Definition of beastly
Adjective
  • Unfortunately, Oakland’s antisemitism has escalated beyond hateful words.
    — Mark Cohen, The Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2025
  • That a little rectangle of cardboard and paper and ink is no match for all the hateful rhetoric about books somehow hurting children.
    — Sarah Hoffman and Ian Hoffman, TIME, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of hateful

Browse Nearby Words

G-men
gnarly
gnash
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gnarly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gnarly. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

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