The word “awful” is used to describe something extremely bad, unpleasant, or terrible. It can apply to experiences, conditions, or qualities that evoke strong negative emotions such as discomfort, disapproval, or dissatisfaction. While primarily negative, in older or formal contexts, “awful” could also mean “awe-inspiring” or “impressive,” though this usage has largely become obsolete. Informally, “awful” can sometimes be used for emphasis, as in phrases like “an awful lot” to mean “a great deal.” Its flexibility makes it common in both everyday and literary language.
10 Sentences Using “Awful”:
- The food tasted awful, and I couldn’t bring myself to finish it.
- She felt awful about missing her friend’s birthday party.
- The movie had an awful plot, with no character development.
- An awful storm rolled in, knocking down trees and power lines.
- He made an awful mistake during the presentation, forgetting the key points.
- The awful smell from the garbage made the room unbearable.
- Losing the game in the final seconds was an awful experience for the team.
- The traffic jam this morning was simply awful; I was an hour late.
- I felt awful for snapping at her; it was completely uncalled for.
- The condition of the old house was awful, with broken windows and peeling paint.
Synonyms of “Awful”:
- Terrible
- Horrible
- Atrocious
- Appalling
- Dreadful
- Abominable
- Hideous
- Ghastly
- Nasty
- Disastrous
Antonyms of “Awful”:
- Wonderful
- Excellent
- Delightful
- Pleasing
- Fantastic
- Superb
- Marvelous
- Splendid
- Lovely
- Great
Related Words:
- Unpleasant
- Horrid
- Revolting
- Distressing
- Shocking
- Unbearable
- Pathetic
- Inferior
- Miserable
- Intolerable
Related Expressions:
- “Awful lot” (a large amount of something).
- “Awful feeling” (a strong sensation of discomfort or guilt).
- “Awful noise” (a sound that is highly unpleasant or grating).
- “Awful truth” (a difficult or unpleasant reality).
- “Awful mess” (a situation that is chaotic or untidy).
- “Feel awful about” (to feel guilty or regretful).
- “Awful person” (someone with extremely negative traits or behavior).
- “Look awful” (to appear tired, sick, or unattractive).
- “Sound awful” (to describe a noise or suggestion as unpleasant).
- “Awful weather” (severe or unpleasant weather conditions).
Related Phrasal Verbs:
- “Turn out bad” (to end in an awful manner).
- “Mess up” (to create an awful situation).
- “Feel down” (to experience an awful emotional state).
- “Fall apart” (to deteriorate into an awful condition).
- “Throw off” (to disrupt or make awful).
- “Turn away” (to reject something awful).
- “Give up on” (to stop trying after an awful experience).
- “Let down” (to disappoint, causing an awful feeling).
- “Work through” (to resolve an awful issue or feeling).
- “Clean up” (to fix an awful mess).
Related Idioms:
- “A bitter pill to swallow” (an awful truth that is hard to accept).
- “In the dumps” (feeling awful or down).
- “On thin ice” (in a precarious or awful situation).
- “Out of the frying pan and into the fire” (escaping one awful situation only to end up in another).
- “Rub salt in the wound” (to make an awful situation worse).
- “Rock bottom” (the lowest, most awful point).
- “A slap in the face” (something unexpectedly awful).
- “Take the wind out of someone’s sails” (to deflate enthusiasm with something awful).
- “The last straw” (the final awful thing that makes a situation unbearable).
- “Cry over spilled milk” (to lament an awful situation that cannot be changed).
