as in agony
a situation or state that causes great suffering and unhappiness
that 20-page exam was a nightmare
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in horrific
extremely disturbing or repellent
survivors of a nuclear holocaust would surely face a nightmare existence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of nightmare
Dan Zaksheske, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is now at the center of the Mets' nightmare start to the season.
—Jeff Capellini, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
This is the nightmare scenario for California Democrats.
—Tom Charron, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nightmare
Noun
Carolina Panthers – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon Sadiq is a potential matchup nightmare and pairs well with Rookie of the Year wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan to give Bryce Young two massive weapons in the passing game.
—Dan Zaksheske, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is now at the center of the Mets' nightmare start to the season.
—Jeff Capellini, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
But the 22-year-old is not alone in having a nightmare individual performance on a high-profile sporting stage.
—Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
This is the nightmare scenario for California Democrats.
—Tom Charron, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nightmare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nightmare
Noun
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Those who suffered through chickenpox as kids likely remember the agony of its itchy rash.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
24 Apr. 2026
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To encompass the story, about a miracle from 847, when Pope Leo IV stopped a fire with a blessing, Raphael brings you into the fresco through the unshod feet of a woman in agony and leaves you near the very back, with a tiny and serene Leo IV.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Earlier in the month, the courts heard the horrific and emotional testimonies of camp counselors of that night as part of the lawsuit.—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
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So even as the Nazi regime was radicalizing through the 1930s and committing horrific violence, the German population was still laughing and being entertained.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The misery wrought by insurgents in largely ungoverned spaces will push people to flee.—
Ulf Laessing,
semafor.com,
30 Apr. 2026
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But complications can extend the misery well beyond the visible rash.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Biden administration failed victims by not seeking the death penalty in many violent and gruesome cases.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Apr. 2026
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Like Richards, many people also invite the public into the somewhat gruesome medical process.—
Rheana Murray,
The Atlantic,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Who knows the horrors of the seas like HERMAN MELVILLE?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
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The psychological horror film, starring Armie Hammer, Dakota Johnson and Zazie Beetz, was distributed by Hulu in the United States and Netflix internationally.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In the furthest part of space lies Dante 01, a detention facility that houses criminals who have committed the most shocking crimes imaginable.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
25 Apr. 2026
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Their latest documentary series looks set to continue that streak, exploring a shocking real case of love, betrayal, and justice.—
Fleurine Tideman,
Glamour,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Among the most notable upcoming executions is that of Christa Pike in Tennessee for the 1995 torture murder of her romantic rival.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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When putting on anything other than pajamas seems like pure torture, this T-shirt dress comes to the rescue.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Your cab driver is taking you on a horrible route.—
Zach Schiffman,
Curbed,
24 Apr. 2026
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There’s enough cop shows, stories about how horrible the world is, enough plot lines that are similar to each other.—
Annika Pham,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nightmare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nightmare. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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