1
as in loud
disagreeable to one's aesthetic or artistic sense
the gaudy, overdecorated interior of the gambling casino was just too grotesque for my taste
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ugly
unpleasant to look at
that bloody Halloween mask is grotesque
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in monster
a strange or horrible and often frightening creature
a gallery of grotesques from some horror movie
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grotesque
Nora Colomer, Fox News, 24 Feb. 2025
This vignette, marked by shimmering red decor and a grotesque clientele, feels the most inspired by Waters and his early work with Divine.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2025
Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2023
Washington National Cathedral, a famous example of Neo-Gothic architecture, is known for its collection of more than a hundred gargoyles and grotesques, including funny ones.
—Kate McGregor, House Beautiful, 14 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for grotesque
Adjective
Not following the prescription leads to some very grotesque consequences and drives the older Elizabeth to horrific measures that make for a very macabre look at the societal pressures women face with aging in the beauty industry.
—Nora Colomer, Fox News, 24 Feb. 2025
This vignette, marked by shimmering red decor and a grotesque clientele, feels the most inspired by Waters and his early work with Divine.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2025
Noun
More amusingly, among the gargoyles and grotesques that dot the various towers are one in the form of a corrupt politician and another representing Darth Vader.
—Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2023
Washington National Cathedral, a famous example of Neo-Gothic architecture, is known for its collection of more than a hundred gargoyles and grotesques, including funny ones.
—Kate McGregor, House Beautiful, 14 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for grotesque
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grotesque
Adjective
-
The crowd welcomed him with a loud ovation and cheered him on numerous times during the match.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2025
-
Building strong relationships—without being the loudest in the room Introverts are rarely the most talkative people in meetings or social settings.—
Lorraine K. Lee, Contributor,
CNBC,
31 Mar. 2025
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
Noun
-
The first major update, aptly titled Title Update 1, is set to be released later this week, and brings new monsters, new activities, and more for players of the game.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2025
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White Painted Woman was a model of heroism and honorable womanhood: When evil monsters were hunting the Apache people, the White Painted Woman gave birth to a son who would destroy the creatures to help make Earth inhabitable for humanity.—
Alejandra Rubio,
NPR,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Donald Trump defended his harsh new tariffs on Saturday Night Live this week — and maybe took a swipe at last week’s musical guest, too.—
Dave Nemetz,
TVLine,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Never one for details, Trump is now clearly linking the harsh 54% tariffs imposed on China on Tuesday to a TikTok deal.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
The month leading up to their Champions League tie with Real Madrid has been absolutely hideous.—
Amy Lawrence,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Dreamy forests and bright angels curdle and mutate into digital grotesquerie, a Spam Folder of faceless creatures and shock shlock.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
19 Feb. 2025
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And his finest work, the 1990 television soap opera Twin Peaks, could also be considered a sensitive, comedic Rorschach test, given its all-American grotesqueries — the definition of his artistic expression.—
Armond White,
National Review,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The crescent shape of the new condo tower and its jarring proximity, combined with the formerly soothing prevailing breeze, creates a wind tunnel that rakes across the north side of Building 3 and the driveway entrance, knocking down patio furniture, annihilating hairdos and slamming car doors.—
Linda Robertson,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2025
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In jarring contrast to the polymetrics, with their accessible freshness and ingratiating openness, stand the four long poems that constitute the second section of the Liber: two wedding hymns, the mini-epic about the nuptials of Achilles’ parents, and the castrato tour de force.—
Daniel Mendelsohn,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Smears on non-sensor areas of the tiara are like bug debris on your hood, aesthetically unpleasing but not harmful.—
Eric Tegler,
Popular Mechanics,
1 Oct. 2019
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His side's inability to finish off the game against Burnley on the other hand was very unpleasing.—
SI.com,
SI.com,
1 Feb. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Grotesque.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grotesque. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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