dreadful dreadful /ˈdrɛdfəl/

adjective

1. () Causing fear, dread or terror  ( dire , direful , dread , awful , dreaded , fearful , fearsome , horrendous , horrific , dreadful , frightening , terrible )
   causing fear, dread or terror
    The awful war
   the awful war
    An awful risk
   an awful risk
    Dire news
   dire news
    A career or vengeance so direful that London was shocked
   a career or vengeance so direful that London was shocked
    The dread presence of the headmaster
   the dread presence of the headmaster
    Polio is no longer the dreaded disease it once was
   polio is no longer the dreaded disease it once was
    A dreadful storm
   a dreadful storm
    A fearful howling
   a fearful howling
    Horrendous explosions shook the city
   horrendous explosions shook the city
    A terrible curse
   a terrible curse
   
2. () Exceptionally bad or displeasing  ( abominable , atrocious , painful , awful , dreadful , terrible , unspeakable )
   exceptionally bad or displeasing
    Atrocious taste
   atrocious taste
    Abominable workmanship
   abominable workmanship
    An awful voice
   an awful voice
    Dreadful manners
   dreadful manners
    A painful performance
   a painful performance
    Terrible handwriting
   terrible handwriting
    An unspeakable odor came sweeping into the room
   an unspeakable odor came sweeping into the room
   
3. Extremely disagreeable and unpleasant  ( dreadful )
   extremely disagreeable and unpleasant
    Don't go out, the weather is dreadful
   don't go out, the weather is dreadful