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 Combs’ mother and some of his children attended, including three daughters who left the courtroom when the testimony turned lurid. —Larry Neumeister, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2025 Several lawsuits are still pending against Combs, and his reputation could be tarnished by the lurid details revealed in court about his past relationships. —Pilar Melendez, NBC news, 4 July 2025 Combs’ reputation has been thoroughly tainted by the lurid details of the trial and strong condemnations from his many accusers. —August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2025 There were, and probably still are, several unbreakable rules to these fortnightly comics, with their garish covers and lurid titles. —Alexander Rose, Air Mail, 28 June 2025 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
  • But the gruesome truth remains — more than 120 are people are dead, including children.
    — Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 11 July 2025
  • Other all-original haunted houses will include Jason Universe, which takes guests back to the summer camp where, one Friday the 13th, the gruesome legend was born.
    — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 10 July 2025
Definition of gruesome
Adjective
  • Robert Vaughn is a particularly pallid villain, and the movie’s case against computers, uh, hasn’t aged too well.
    — Tim Grierson, Vulture, 11 July 2025
  • Rickman’s Snape was almost cartoonish with his hawk nose and long, straight black hair and pallid skin.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
Definition of pallid
Adjective
  • The 6-foot-4 athlete was in transition all by herself and threw down a sensational dunk.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2025
  • There’s also plenty of options for serious relaxing and sensational dining.
    — Leslie Kelly, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
Definition of sensational
Adjective
  • But the first lady and I are here in Texas to express the love and support and the anguish of our entire nation in the aftermath of this really horrific and deadly flood.
    — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 11 July 2025
  • California homeowner’s insurance premiums were already rising before the horrific Southern California wildfires in January.
    — Scott Cohn, CNBC, 11 July 2025
Definition of horrific
Adjective
  • The creature had pale orange stripes along its body, eyes on the side of its head and other physical characteristics of a Barbados threadsnake.
    — Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 July 2025
  • Hendrix, 54, wore a pale pink gown with silver floral beading details, paired with old-Hollywood style pin curls and a bold lip.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 23 July 2025
Definition of pale
Adjective
  • This clifftop restaurant boasts colorful, California-cool decor and menu staples like a fresh beet salad and juicy hamburgers.
    — Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2025
  • Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
    — Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 26 July 2025
Definition of juicy
Adjective
  • Bonnie came to her father's defense in May 2020 after Chapman shared the shocking news of his engagement to girlfriend Francie just 10 months after Beth’s death.
    — Skyler Caruso, People.com, 21 July 2025
  • In a TikTok video, mother Mackenzie Dodd summed up the whiplash of noticing something minor about her newborn baby, only to discover a shocking diagnosis.
    — Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 2025
Definition of shocking
Adjective
  • Shop slingback flats, leather Mary Janes, colorful suede sneakers, and more of this season’s biggest trends while saving up to 70 percent off.
    — Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 20 July 2025
  • The vibrant, colorful buildings captured the lively and diverse spirit of the Caribbean.
    — Ronny Maye, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
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 30 Jul. 2025.

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