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
Relevance
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
Sangeeta Singh-Kurtz, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025
The female filmmakers behind this new wave of flesh and flash are finding critical and commercial success by combining the viscerally grotesque with progressive themes exploring bodily autonomy, beauty standards, and social expectations for women.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 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
And the brand does feel like a suitable partner for the show, which features privileged travelers terrorizing hotel staff and fellow tourists with their grotesque, spoiled behavior.
—Sangeeta Singh-Kurtz, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025
The female filmmakers behind this new wave of flesh and flash are finding critical and commercial success by combining the viscerally grotesque with progressive themes exploring bodily autonomy, beauty standards, and social expectations for women.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 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
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That student had lived through the sirens and bombing in Ukraine, and the loud noise from the alarm would trigger those traumatic memories.—
Clara-Sophia Daly,
Miami Herald,
19 Mar. 2025
-
While Gomez has forged a refined, ladylike look in powder-blue Prada and anticipatory bridal whites, with ornate custom Ralph Lauren and glittering Armani Prive for her red carpet appearances, Blanco loves pale linens, loud prints, and hippie hemp materials.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The 24-year-old displayed all of the good, the bad and the ugly in a 25-game stretch when called up to the majors last season when starting catcher Gabriel Moreno was injured.—
Chuck Murr,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
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Imagine the classic tale The Ugly Duckling, by Hans Christian Andersen — only, in this version, the ugly duckling doesn’t mature into a beautiful swan.—
Matt Kracht,
People.com,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Fing turns out to be as much as a destructive monster as Myrtle, who in turn, must battle it out with the evil animal park owner, The Viscount (Waititi), determined to own this rarest of creatures.—
Lily Ford,
The Hollywood Reporter,
19 Mar. 2025
-
Fing turns out to be as much as a destructive monster as Myrtle, who in turn, has to battle it out with the evil animal park owner, The Viscount, who is determined to own this rarest of creatures.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Each of our pieces is a symbol of resilience, proving that creativity can thrive even under the harshest circumstances.—
Gemma A. Williams,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
-
The Patriots are paying for potential more than immediate production, so the F grade feels harsh.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The Wild played a hideous third period, and the Blues got two more goals from Kyrou.—
Michael Russo,
The Athletic,
16 Mar. 2025
-
Just to give one small example: early on in the movie Bernice, who spends most of the story bedridden watching shopping channels, spots a hideous piece of clothing being advertised on television.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
10 Mar. 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
-
Be just completely distracted from the jarring reality.—
Dory Jackson,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
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This gives people the chance to adapt over time rather than experiencing a jarring impact at once.—
John Spencer Taylor,
Forbes,
20 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 25 Mar. 2025.
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