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

Is L.A. so awful for these kids that it isn’t even on their radar to stay close to home?

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 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

Let’s start this awful, one-for-the-books day at the beginning.

From "Popcorn" by Rob Harrell