Search Result for "dreadful": 
Wordnet 3.0

ADJECTIVE (3)

1. causing fear or dread or terror;
- Example: "the awful war"
- Example: "an awful risk"
- Example: "dire news"
- Example: "a career or vengeance so direful that London was shocked"
- Example: "the dread presence of the headmaster"
- Example: "polio is no longer the dreaded disease it once was"
- Example: "a dreadful storm"
- Example: "a fearful howling"
- Example: "horrendous explosions shook the city"
- Example: "a terrible curse"
[syn: awful, dire, direful, dread(a), dreaded, dreadful, fearful, fearsome, frightening, horrendous, horrific, terrible]

2. exceptionally bad or displeasing;
- Example: "atrocious taste"
- Example: "abominable workmanship"
- Example: "an awful voice"
- Example: "dreadful manners"
- Example: "a painful performance"
- Example: "terrible handwriting"
- Example: "an unspeakable odor came sweeping into the room"
[syn: atrocious, abominable, awful, dreadful, painful, terrible, unspeakable]

3. very unpleasant; 



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Dreadful \Dread"ful\, a.
   1. Full of dread or terror; fearful. [Obs.] "With dreadful
      heart." --Chaucer.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Inspiring dread; impressing great fear; fearful; terrible;
      as, a dreadful storm. " Dreadful gloom." --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

            For all things are less dreadful than they seem.
                                                  --Wordsworth.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. Inspiring awe or reverence; awful. [Obs.] "God's dreadful
      law." --Shak.

   Syn: Fearful; frightful; terrific; terrible; horrible;
        horrid; formidable; tremendous; awful; venerable. See
        Frightful.
        [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

dreadful
    adj 1: causing fear or dread or terror; "the awful war"; "an
           awful risk"; "dire news"; "a career or vengeance so
           direful that London was shocked"; "the dread presence of
           the headmaster"; "polio is no longer the dreaded disease
           it once was"; "a dreadful storm"; "a fearful howling";
           "horrendous explosions shook the city"; "a terrible
           curse" [syn: awful, dire, direful, dread(a),
           dreaded, dreadful, fearful, fearsome,
           frightening, horrendous, horrific, terrible]
    2: exceptionally bad or displeasing; "atrocious taste";
       "abominable workmanship"; "an awful voice"; "dreadful
       manners"; "a painful performance"; "terrible handwriting";
       "an unspeakable odor came sweeping into the room" [syn:
       atrocious, abominable, awful, dreadful, painful,
       terrible, unspeakable]
    3: very unpleasant