gnarly

adjective

Definition of gnarlynext
slang
as in ugly

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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 gnarly Hossain and her collaborators have conjured an internalized hellscape marked by sensual photography, gnarly cyst makeup, and suffocating matrimonial rituals involving turmeric and milk — all redolent with upper-class heteronormative rot. — Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026 Adrenaline junkies should consider a trip that involves the notoriously gnarly Cherry Creek section, a nine-mile stretch of intense Class V whitewater, but the local rivers also allow for more relaxing, Class III floats. — Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 5 Sep. 2026 This plot and the film’s glossy aping of grindhouse aesthetics suggest the movie will be gnarly and boldly engrossing. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026 Except in the hardware world, those gnarly activities include some sick online gaming, which is what makes Alienware a household name in high-performance gaming. — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gnarly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gnarly
  1. ugly
  2. hideous
  3. disgusting
  4. hellish
  5. loathsome
  6. horrid
  7. beastly
  8. hateful
Adjective
  • Without all that, the series misses out on the ugly, earthy, sensual details that could have complicated her past blank innocence.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Earlier this season, the Seahawks coach described a dispute with Payton that got ugly enough for Seattle to threaten a lawsuit.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of ugly
Adjective
  • Alabama has been busily demonstrating that the reverse is true, following a string of hideous botched lethal injection executions with a series of no less gruesome executions with nitrogen suffocation.
    — Maya Foa, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • This puzzle is stuffed with nuance, pleasing crosses and a lot of simply terrific, ridiculously evocative stuff — for example, a jarring assortment of lovely trivia intersecting with some hideous ailments at more than one juncture.
    — Caitlin Lovinger, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of hideous
Adjective
  • People tend to think of waste as trash, sewage, slag, manure and other seemingly useless or disgusting substances.
    — Edward D. Melillo, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The better to act out empire’s idea of what disgusting demonic sickness looks like.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of disgusting
Adjective
  • Their gathering at a secluded house quickly turns into a hellish reunion as the family members turn into Deadites.
    — Mya Copeland, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026
  • It‘s about you and me and getting through this god-awful, soul-sucking, mind-crushing hellish grind for the past two years.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of hellish
Adjective
  • Given French’s loathsome history, Abbott and others in the party establishment worked hard to keep him from winning the Republican nomination, Rice noted.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Kraus’ paean to peace is written in the most luxurious and loathsome language imaginable — in one very long and fractured sentence.
    — The Know, Denver Post, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of loathsome
Adjective
  • The last thing Deion Sanders wants is for this to snowball into another horrid season, with a select few players not taking things seriously in the locker room.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026
  • The average life expectancy was six weeks in horrid conditions.
    — Megan Shinn, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of horrid
Adjective
  • The German tuner, known for turning luxe cars from Lamborghini to Bentley into absurd, beastly powerhouses, has teamed up with the folks at Sunreef on a new 55-foot cat.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 28 July 2026
  • Yet Corsini transforms his shocking premise into a beastly and beautiful character study, one that’s smartly supported by a mostly Italian ensemble and truly revelatory second antagonist.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 24 July 2026
Definition of beastly
Adjective
  • The fanbase has been labeled as hateful by the media, opposing players and even A'ja Wilson's mom.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The apology was met with a lukewarm reaction from a public that had watched the rapper’s troubling antics and hateful statements for years.
    — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of hateful

Browse Nearby Words

G-men
gnarly
gnash
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gnarly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gnarly. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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