macabre
5 synonyms for macabre, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Disturbingly focused on death, or gruesome and horrifying to look at.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use macabre
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
macabre humor
macabre scene
macabre details
Etymology
From French macabre, of uncertain origin — possibly linked to the phrase "danse macabre" ("dance of death"), which may trace back to the biblical Maccabees.
Full origin of macabre →Frequently asked questions
What does “macabre” mean?
The word “macabre” means disturbingly focused on death, or gruesome and horrifying to look at. In plain terms, something gruesome, deathly, or morbidly horrifying.
How do you pronounce “macabre”?
“Macabre” is pronounced muh-KAH-bruh (/məˈkɑb/ in IPA).
How do you use “macabre” in a sentence?
Here is “macabre” used in a sentence: “The museum's macabre exhibit on medieval torture devices left some visitors queasy.”
What part of speech is “macabre”?
“Macabre” is an adjective.
Where does the word “macabre” come from?
The word “macabre” comes from French. From French macabre, of uncertain origin — possibly linked to the phrase "danse macabre" ("dance of death"), which may trace back to the biblical Maccabees.
