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Definitions

awful

[aw-fuhl] / ˈɔ fəl /
ADJECTIVE
very bad; terrible
Synonyms
STRONGEST
appalling atrocious depressing dire disgusting distressing dreadful frightful ghastly gruesome harrowing hideous horrendous horrible horrific horrifying nasty shocking tough ugly unpleasant
WEAK
abominable alarming deplorable fearful grody gross grungy offensive repulsive stinking synthetic unsightly
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreeable attractive delightful good great nice pleasant pleasing safe wonderful
WEAK
OK

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“I noticed he was taking an awful lot of cruises. But then again, who am I to judge?”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

Despite the complex tax issues, you did an awful lot right.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 20, 2026

"The guidance is changing from what it has been historically. Women are capable of an awful lot."

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

Avi Kaner, the former owner of New York’s 17-store Morton Williams grocery chain, said “$30 million is an awful lot to spend to build one supermarket.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

I know I must look awful, but I don’t care.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Vocabulary lists containing awful

"Yet Do I Marvel" by Countee Cullen

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