awful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Camus’s vision may have been a bleak and arid one, but it retains its awful potency.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

Efforts to wring laughs out of a genuinely awful situation yield only a few uncomfortable chuckles, such as when Charlie and Emma strike some warmup poses for a wedding photographer during an impromptu session.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

As someone who wakes up in a cold sweat every night, terrified by the looming possibility that “The Devil Wears Prada 2” may be awful, trust me: Sometimes it’s better to leave well enough alone.

From Salon • Mar. 26, 2026

I couldn’t imagine how awful it would be to be in a suburb, not even knowing if you wanted your own kids with some old, weird guy.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

"Sam," Anastasia said in a serious voice, "I have something very important to tell you. Horrible, awful news. You're going to hate it just as much as I do."

From "All About Sam" by Lois Lowry