ghoulish

[goo-lish]

adjective

1. strangely diabolical or cruel; monstrous.

   a ghoulish and questionable sense of humor.

2. showing fascination with death, disease, maiming, etc.; morbid.

   ghoulish curiosity.

3. of, relating to, or like a ghoul or ghouls.

ˈghoulish

/ ˈɡuːlɪʃ /

adjective

1. of or relating to ghouls; morbid or disgusting; unhealthily interested in death

Other Word Forms

• ghoulishly adverb
• ghoulishness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ghoulish¹

First recorded in 1835–45; ghoul + -ish ¹

Example Sentences

Actors played all types of ghoulish creatures, including orcs and vampires.

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The ghoulish heads are then combined with store bought cider, lemonade and rum in a large punchbowl.

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Aficionados will delight in minor details such as being close enough to touch the ghoulish monkey music box from the original, and being within breathing distance of the performers in these famous roles.

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The backlash against the segment was fierce and immediate, with critics calling Acosta “ghoulish” and “manipulative.”

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It’s impossible to recapture the magic of the first season, but Netflix’s ‘Wednesday’ Season 2, starring Jenna Ortega, bristles with its own ghoulish charm.

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Related Words

• cruel 
• demonic 
• devilish 
• eerie 
• frightening www.thesaurus.com
• ghastly 
• grim 
• grisly 
• gruesome 
• horrible 
• macabre 
• morbid 
• spooky