nightmare

[nahyt-mair] / ˈnaɪtˌmɛər /

NOUN

bad dream or experience

Synonyms

STRONGEST

dream fantasy hallucination horror ordeal vision

STRONG

fancy illusion incubus phantasm succubus torment trial tribulation

Antonyms

STRONGEST

actuality fact pleasure reality truth

STRONG

certainty happiness peace

WEAK

daymare

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.

For America’s Arab Gulf allies, it is a nightmare scenario.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

But when Kerr arrived Friday, it felt more like a nightmare.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

There was never any doubt that the splitter was a nightmare for hitters.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

The 38-year-old said a quiet night later turned into a life-changing nightmare.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

We're all one awful day away from becoming the world’s worst nightmare.''

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton