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 Graham Platner, the Marine Corps veteran and oysterman who mounted a quixotic bid for the US Senate in Maine, was used to controversy—headlines had been bad enough already, and his campaign aides spent much of their time dealing with lurid rumors. — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 9 July 2026 If a Piña Colada is a Hawaiian shirt, garish and lurid, then the Coco de Agua is a white linen suit—still rum, lime, and coconut, but clean and fitted. — Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 27 June 2026 Unlike Magazine Dreams, the modest but satisfying Test avoids the lurid descent into violent psychodrama that swerved into hallucinatory Taxi Driver territory and undercut that film’s integrity. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026 Shawn's Ray Wilkins, meanwhile, shows back up in his old flame Brenda's life during a breathtakingly lurid Sinners send-up that takes the form of a confessional sermon in a Southern church. — Entertainment Weekly, 2 June 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
  • No iPhone footage of the attack to replay in gruesome slow motion.
    — Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The inevitable father-son reunion is a result of gruesome circumstances.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of gruesome
Adjective
  • 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
  • This mordant melange takes off from the opening sequence, when Niaz finds himself at a casting call for an indie directed by Aza (Elene Mausuradze), an androgynous female director with the pallid look of a Tim Burton extra.
    — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of pallid
Adjective
  • On the second play of the Chargers’ second possession, Herbert connected with wide receiver Quentin Johnston over the middle on a sensational 65-yard touchdown pass.
    — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The capacity of most object narrators to travel in intimate proximity to human bodies prompted authors to relate sensational, fly-on-the-wall details about people’s private lives.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of sensational
Adjective
  • The chilling new detail about Jesus Acosta’s horrific spree was revealed at the 31-year-old ex-con’s arraignment in Bronx Criminal Court late Sunday, where he was ordered held without bail for the two cold-blooded shootings.
    — John Annese, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Then there is the horrific crash on the McHenry County side of the Fox River, where on July 25 Alan Telmini and Magdalena Jablonska, both from Des Plaines, were cruising the river south of the McHenry Dam.
    — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of horrific
Adjective
  • But our frustrations and inconvenience pale in comparison to the sadness of those who knew the deceased or to the trauma the drivers involved experienced.
    — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Iconic yachting brand Riva was the inspiration behind the redesign, according to Christie, seen in the use of dark wood, pale leather and marble that gives the lounge a distinctly Italian feel.
    — Dea Jusufi, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of pale
Adjective
  • Its thick green leaves look juicy, and the mulberries are already red because of the sunshine and the good care of the gardeners.
    — Jonathan Flint, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The strawberry note adds a juicy, fruity twist, while the coffee and vanilla give it a warm, rich finish.
    — Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of juicy
Adjective
  • In front of adoring fans in Shanghai, the UFC veteran and perennial contender in the UFC bantamweight division scored a shocking upset win over Umar Nurmagomedov in the main event on Saturday.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The August nonfarm payrolls report that releases Friday will be coming off a low set of expectations, given the shocking loss of jobs in July.
    — Sarah Min, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of shocking
Adjective
  • One Baguette is covered in a kaleidoscopic geometric pattern of colorful beads; another resembles a tiny textile artwork in dusty pink, green, and turquoise.
    — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Mexico’s Jorge Campos became almost as famous for his wildly colorful uniforms as his saves.
    — Asli Pelit, New York Times, 3 Sep. 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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