causing fear or dread or terror; the awful war; an awful risk; dire news; a career or vengeance so direful that London was shocked; the dread presence of the headmaster; polio is no longer the dreaded disease it once was; a dreadful storm; a fearful howling; horrendous explosions shook the city; a terrible curse
[ Syn: awful , dire , direful , dread , dreaded , dreadful , fearful , fearsome , frightening , horrendous , horrific ]
exceptionally bad or displeasing; atrocious taste; abominable workmanship; an awful voice; dreadful manners; a painful performance; terrible handwriting; an unspeakable odor came sweeping into the room
[ Syn: atrocious , abominable , awful , dreadful , painful , unspeakable ]
intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality; severe pain; a severe case of flu; a terrible cough; under wicked fire from the enemys guns; a wicked cough
extreme in degree or extent or amount or impact; in a frightful hurry; spent a frightful amount of money
[ Syn: frightful , awful , tremendous ]