lurid

adjective

ˈlu̇r-əd How to pronounce lurid (audio)
Definition of luridnext
1
as in gruesome
extremely disturbing or repellent thank you for sparing us from the lurid details of the story

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pallid
lacking a healthy skin color the doctor was alarmed by the patient's lurid complexion was lurid after a long winter spent indoors

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sensational
arousing a strong and usually superficial interest or emotional reaction the lurid news reports about the romance between the two Hollywood stars

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word lurid different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of lurid are ghastly, grisly, gruesome, and macabre. While all these words mean "horrifying and repellent in appearance or aspect," lurid adds to gruesome the suggestion of shuddering fascination with violent death and especially with murder.

the lurid details of a crime

When might ghastly be a better fit than lurid?

While the synonyms ghastly and lurid are close in meaning, ghastly suggests the terrifying aspects of corpses and ghosts.

a ghastly accident

How do grisly and gruesome relate to one another, in the sense of lurid?

Both grisly and gruesome suggest additionally the results of extreme violence or cruelty.

an unusually grisly murder
suffered a gruesome death

Where would macabre be a reasonable alternative to lurid?

The synonyms macabre and lurid are sometimes interchangeable, but macabre implies a morbid preoccupation with the physical aspects of death.

a macabre tale of premature burial

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 lurid 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 This clever, focus-shifting structure allows showrunners Robbins and Sarah Sutherland to dramatize the most lurid, horror-movie aspects of the story without appearing to endorse one version over another. — Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 19 Mar. 2025 Photos by Sinna Nasseri These fabled 15 blocks (extending just beyond Chateau Marmont in the East, to Beverly Hills in the West) have a long, often lurid, musical history. — Edmund Vallance, AFAR Media, 18 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lurid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lurid
  1. gruesome
  2. pallid
  3. sensational
  4. horrific
  5. pale
  6. juicy
  7. shocking
  8. colorful
Adjective
  • Thoughtful, but gruesome is an apt descriptor for the film as well.
    — NPR Staff, NPR, 5 Apr. 2025
  • This was true of Fury (2015) as well, his brutal and gruesome war drama featuring Brad Pitt as a tank commander in the final days of World War II leading a platoon of hardened, traumatized, broken soldiers.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of gruesome
Adjective
  • Similarly, it was called the white plague or white death – due to anemia from the disease, with people appearing pallid or chalky – leading to near-certain death.
    — Karen Dobos, The Conversation, 6 Mar. 2025
  • The Russian invasion of Ukraine won Vladimir Putin a certain admiration in countries of the global South, as well as among MAGA Americans, while Joe Biden’s appeals to democratic values seemed pallid and hypocritical.
    — George Packer, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2025
Definition of pallid
Adjective
  • Less sensational, but devastating on an individual level, is the prospect of AI replacing us in our jobs – a prospect leaving most people obsolete and with no future.
    — Billy J. Stratton, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Max Verstappen followed up his sensational qualifying performance with victory at the Japanese Grand Prix to close the gap on championship leader Lando Norris to one point.
    — Luke Smith, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of sensational
Adjective
  • Viscerally horrific, conceptually mindblowing, achingly humane.
    — Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • With that horrific risk in mind, the crew hatches a new plan.
    — Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of horrific
Adjective
  • The horizon is low and the pale blue sky occupies most of the monumental canvas.
    — Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • While this is being portrayed as the return of the dire wolf, these animals are primarily a variant of gray wolves, as many of the genetic changes that create their large size and pale coat already exist in some gray wolf populations.
    — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of pale
Adjective
  • Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up to date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
    — Raven Brunner, People.com, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
    — Sam Gillette, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of juicy
Adjective
  • The couple shared their shocking experience in a now-viral TikTok video, warning others about the dangers of unsafe food handling.
    — Ashley Vega, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Leaders around the world have responded to U.S. President Donald Trump’s shocking new tariffs that threaten to upend the global economy with stern words and denunciations.
    — Chad de Guzman, Time, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of shocking
Adjective
  • The frame’s branches keep it rustic, but the plethora of colorful gerber daisies and ferns at the base add brightness.
    — Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Nicholas Galitzine rocked a very buff physique training to be He-Man, and director Travis Knight showcased many of the colorful heroes and villains, including Jared Leto as the evil Skeletor.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of colorful

Browse Nearby Words

lures
lurid
luridly
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Cite this Entry

“Lurid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lurid. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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