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 That’s most notable in the Street Style package, a design reminiscent of Porsche’s more lurid tartans over the years, but here implemented in woven leather. — Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 14 Sep. 2026 An almost unrecognizable Pearce is weary of the lurid headlines Lamb produces — and all for the sake of The Sun becoming the world’s best-selling newspaper. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2026 For a while, Clark tells us, nobody in Königsberg seemed interested in talking about anything other than the lurid lives of the Muckers, as the Ebelians came to be called. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026 The real reason is that his report is an unfocused jumble of personal testimony, with no evident attempt to corroborate the lurid and sometimes unbelievable accusations made by anonymous sources. — Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 26 July 2026 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
  • Among protesters, particularly gruesome wounds suffered by some teenagers have been blamed on police riot-control weapons.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Mars Attacks, released in 1962, was a huge hit with kids, though many parents objected to the gruesome artwork of Martians eviscerating Earthlings.
    — Bob Woods, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of gruesome
Adjective
  • The pallid grayness of Mike Eley’s cinematography is probably supposed to mimic the finality of HIV/AIDS taking hold, but there’s no passion aesthetically to counterbalance what becomes absolute misery onscreen to watch.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Young people in particular have soured on the technology over the last year, a development that may at least partially be explained by a pallid entry-level job market.
    — T.M. Brown, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of pallid
Adjective
  • But, beyond the wall-to-wall coverage and sensational headlines, is a story about the incredible courage, devotion, and strength that Natalee’s mother, Beth, showed in the face of unimaginable loss.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Smith had a season-low four catches for 93 yards, but the sensational wide receiver made the most of his chances.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of sensational
Adjective
  • What followed was a horrific night of physical and mental spousal abuse, which Adams describes in searing, emotional prose.
    — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Recently, Wahid was the lead defense attorney in the death penalty case of a Miami man who pleaded guilty to the horrific triple homicide of his estranged wife and her two young daughters.
    — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of horrific
Adjective
  • But most visitors were gathered around one explosively colorful painting in swirling shades of light and dark blue, bottle green, and pale gold.
    — Joan Martelli, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Instead, the surrounding sky darkens, increasing the contrast until the pale daytime moon seems to switch on at dusk and grow increasingly brilliant.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of pale
Adjective
  • Readers rave about the flavorful combination of fresh apples, plump, juicy raisins, and cinnamon.
    — Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The actress also had a juicy central role as a cheating wife alongside Joaquin Phoenix and Vince Vaughn in the black comedy Clay Pigeons (1998), directed by David Dobkin.
    — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of juicy
Adjective
  • The series is notorious for its shocking plot twists (many of which bring dramatic, fatal ends to important characters).
    — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Bajaria is said to have attended the town hall that Head of Scripted, UCAN Jinny Howe held Wednesday afternoon amid the layoffs, making her exit today feel abrupt and shocking to staffers.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of shocking
Adjective
  • Frosted glass walls reveal a garden of oversize, colorful leather flowers, while wood and leather, recurring materials in Polène’s stores, appear in the furnishings.
    — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Other suites are even more striking, covered from head to toe in a flora wallpaper and bright, colorful custom furniture.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2026
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 21 Oct. 2026.

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