macabre

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'macabre' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is horrific, gruesome, and morbid. For example, "The macabre scene of mutilated corpses from the bombing was unforgettable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The boys were captivated by the medieval world around us, the priests with their ornate gold crosses, the tunnels linking the churches, and the macabre sight of human bones sticking out of coffins and carved niches in the rock face.

The Guardian - Travel

Keeping aside the macabre imagery, this system of exposure known as dokhmenashini is swift and ecologically sound.

The Guardian

By the same token, in their macabre minds turning the babies over to "good" military families to raise as their own represented the ultimate victory over the "godless" left-wing enemy they wished to crush into nonexistence.

The Guardian

In a macabre twist, the court heard that Davidson has a previous conviction for trying to smother her neighbour's dog.

The Guardian

It is about society's macabre obsession with these events," said Linder.

The Guardian - Film

His macabre mention of "a 10% death tax on people as they die," just rubbed it in.

The Guardian - Opinion

The walls of the workshop were lined with colourful, macabre masks of animals and humans.

The Guardian - Travel

But the doors of the small rooms in Scotland Yard, filled to overflowing with thousands of macabre and poignant objects tracing centuries of crime and detective work, will remain firmly closed: the exhibition will open at the Museum of London in October.

The Guardian

On Monday and Tuesday he was allowed to say goodbye to friends and family, in poignant encounters that were subject to the prison's macabre choreography.

The Guardian

You killed them, stripped them, disposed of their clothing and abandoned their bodies, in the case of two of them in the macabre pose in which they were found.

The Guardian

He was pale, but looked anything but macabre.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "macabre" to describe scenes or situations that are disturbing and involve death or injury, creating a sense of horror and unease. For example, "The artist's macabre paintings depicted scenes of decay and suffering."

Common error

Avoid using "macabre" to describe situations that are merely sad or unfortunate, as it specifically implies a sense of horror and morbidity beyond simple sadness. Using a word like 'unfortunate' may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The word "macabre" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something as disturbing and horrifying, often involving death or injury. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "macabre" is an adjective used to describe something gruesome and horrifying, particularly involving death or injury. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical status and provides numerous examples of its use, primarily in News & Media contexts. While synonyms like "ghastly" or "gruesome" exist, "macabre" carries a distinct connotation of morbidity and horror. When writing, it's best to use "macabre" to describe situations that genuinely evoke a sense of unease and horror, avoiding overuse in contexts that are merely sad or unfortunate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ghastly

Emphasizes a shocking and repulsive appearance.

gruesome

Focuses on the repulsiveness of something, particularly blood and violence.

grisly

Similar to gruesome, but often used to describe death scenes.

morbid

Highlights an unhealthy interest in disturbing subjects, especially death and disease.

horrific

Stresses the capacity to cause horror.

appalling

Focuses on the shock and dismay caused by something.

terrifying

Highlights the ability to induce extreme fear.

dreadful

Emphasizes something extremely bad or unpleasant.

shocking

Highlights the capacity to cause surprise and often dismay.

eerie

Suggests a mysterious and unsettling atmosphere.

FAQs

How can I use "macabre" in a sentence?

You can use "macabre" to describe something that is disturbing and gruesome, especially involving death or injury. For instance, "The crime scene presented a "macabre" tableau of violence".

What are some synonyms for "macabre"?

Alternatives to "macabre" include "ghastly", "gruesome", "grisly", or "morbid". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "macabre" the same as "scary"?

"Macabre" implies a specific kind of horror related to death and decay, while "scary" is a more general term for anything that causes fear. A "macabre" scene is necessarily scary, but something scary isn't necessarily "macabre".

What is the difference between "macabre" and "grotesque"?

"Macabre" emphasizes the horror and morbidity associated with death, while "grotesque" focuses on distortion and repulsiveness. Something "grotesque" might be disturbing because of its distorted appearance, whereas something "macabre" is disturbing because of its association with death.