nightmare

7 synonyms and 1 antonym for nightmare, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A frightening or unpleasant dream.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

horror hell trial

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

ordeal torment

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

bad dream incubus

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A frightening or unpleasant dream.

“I had a nightmare that I tried to run but could neither move nor breathe.”

bad dream ordeal horror torment hell trial incubus

2. noun

Any deeply unpleasant, stressful, or frightening situation.

“Finding a parking space in town on Saturday is a nightmare.”

Opposites

heaven

How to use nightmare

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

have a nightmare a recurring nightmare a logistical nightmare

Etymology

From Middle English nightmare, from night plus mare, an old word for an evil spirit believed to sit on a sleeper's chest and cause suffocating dreams — not related to the horse sense of "mare."

Full origin of nightmare →

Frequently asked questions

What does “nightmare” mean?

The word “nightmare” means a frightening or unpleasant dream. In plain terms, a scary dream, or by extension any awful, stressful experience.

How do you pronounce “nightmare”?

“Nightmare” is pronounced NYT-meh-uh (/ˈnaɪt.mɛɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “nightmare” in a sentence?

Here is “nightmare” used in a sentence: “She woke up gasping from a nightmare.”

What part of speech is “nightmare”?

“Nightmare” is a noun.

Where does the word “nightmare” come from?

The word “nightmare” comes from Middle English. From Middle English nightmare, from night plus mare, an old word for an evil spirit believed to sit on a sleeper's chest and cause suffocating dreams — not related to the horse sense of "mare.".

Is “nightmare” a common word?

“Nightmare” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “nightmare” have?

“Nightmare” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a frightening or unpleasant dream.

What is the difference between a 'nightmare' and a 'bad dream'?

A nightmare is an especially frightening or distressing dream, often vivid enough to wake the sleeper. A bad dream is a milder, less alarming version that may cause unease but usually does not jolt someone awake.

What is the difference between a 'nightmare' and a 'night terror'?

A nightmare is a frightening dream that the sleeper typically remembers on waking. A night terror is a different sleep event in which a person may appear panicked or scream during deep sleep, yet usually has little or no memory of it afterward.

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hell trial heaven horror ordeal torment incubus

Nearby words

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