nightmare

[nahyt-mair] / ˈnaɪtˌmɛər /

NOUN

bad dream or experience

Synonyms

STRONGEST

dream fantasy hallucination horror ordeal vision

STRONG

fancy illusion incubus phantasm succubus torment trial tribulation

Antonyms

STRONGEST

actuality fact pleasure reality truth

STRONG

certainty happiness peace

WEAK

daymare

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 want the second AI to be every employee’s nightmare.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

However, since his death in January, his wife Fiona has been caught up in a bureaucratic nightmare.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

This is when Maddin’s story switches from a survivalist nightmare to a legal one.

From Slate • May 13, 2026

Today it’s a nightmare for many onboard, under the threat of viral infection.

From Barron's • May 6, 2026

Even getting on top of those trucks was a nightmare.

From "Facing the Lion" by Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton and Herman Viola