nightmarish
/'naitmeəriʃ/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective: - Extremely frightening, distressing, or unpleasant; resembling or characteristic of a nightmare. It describes something that causes intense fear, anxiety, or horror, similar to the experience of a bad dream. - Extremely alarming. It describes something that causes a sudden, strong feeling of fear or worry about danger.
Usage
The adjective "nightmarish" is used to describe situations, experiences, images, or feelings that are terrifying, chaotic, or deeply unsettling, as if from a nightmare. It emphasizes a sense of horror and helplessness.
Examples
- The accident scene was a nightmarish vision of twisted metal and flames.
- She recounted the nightmarish experience of being lost in the forest after dark.
- The pandemic created a nightmarish scenario for healthcare workers.
- He woke up from a nightmarish dream, his heart pounding.
Advanced Usage
- "nightmarish quality": Used to describe the terrifying characteristic of something.
- The film had a surreal, nightmarish quality that stayed with viewers.
- "descend into the nightmarish": Describes a situation becoming terrifyingly bad.
- The peaceful protest descended into a nightmarish scene of violence.
Variants and Related Words
- Nightmare (n): A frightening or unpleasant dream; a very bad or frightening experience or situation.
- The project turned into a complete nightmare.
- Nightmarishly (adv): In a way that resembles a nightmare.
- The situation unfolded nightmarishly fast.
Synonyms
- Horrific: Causing horror; extremely shocking or dreadful.
- Terrifying: Causing extreme fear.
- Harrowing: Acutely distressing or painful.
- Chilling: Causing fear or apprehension.
Antonyms
- Idyllic: Extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque.
- Blissful: Extremely happy; full of joy.
- Pleasant: Giving a sense of happy satisfaction or enjoyment.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- Living nightmare: An ongoing situation that is extremely distressing, as if one is trapped in a bad dream.
- Being trapped in the war zone was a living nightmare.
- Stuff of nightmares: Something that is the source or material of bad dreams; something terrifying.
- The creature in the film was the stuff of nightmares.