Grotesque – Definition, Meaning and Synonyms

Definition of Grotesque (adjective)

Grotesque is an adjective that describes something that is comically or repulsively ugly, distorted, or bizarre. It often conveys a sense of unnatural or exaggerated strangeness that provokes discomfort or fascination.

Examples

• The grotesque statue startled everyone in the gallery.
• Her grotesque behaviour during the meeting shocked us all.
• The grotesque mask frightened the children at the party.
• The grotesque image in the painting was deeply unsettling.
• The grotesque creature in the film haunted my dreams.
• The grotesque distortion of his face made us gasp.
• The grotesque architecture of the building stood out oddly.
• His grotesque sense of humour made others feel uncomfortable.

Meaning

• Ugly
• Bizarre
• Distorted

Pronunciation

• UK: /ɡrəʊˈtɛsk/ (groh-TESK)
• US: /ɡroʊˈtɛsk/ (groh-TESK)

Synonyms

• Ugly
• Bizarre
• Distorted
• Repulsive
• Monstrous
• Freakish
• Gruesome
• Ludicrous
• Macabre
• Hideous
• Outlandish
• Abnormal
• Weird
• Eccentric

Usage Tips for Grotesque

• You can use it to describe something unnatural or bizarrely distorted.
• It often implies discomfort, fascination, or horror.
• Avoid overusing it for minor or ordinary oddities.
• This can apply to physical appearances, behaviours, or artistic styles.
• Best suited for emphasizing strange, ugly, or exaggerated qualities.

Origin

Grotesque (1500-1600):

It is derived from the Italian grottesco, meaning a cave.

Similar Words to Grotesque

• Ugly
• Bizarre
• Repulsive
• Monstrous
• Freakish
• Weird
• Outlandish
• Abnormal
• Hideous
• Ludicrous

FAQs

Q: What is the meaning of grotesque in Urdu?

Ans: In Urdu, grotesque means بدشکل or عجیب و غریب.

Q: How do we use grotesque in a sentence?

Ans: The grotesque sculpture in the museum both fascinated and horrified the visitors.

Q: What’s the difference between grotesque and bizarre?

Ans: Grotesque emphasizes ugliness and distortion while the bizarre focuses on strangeness or peculiarity.

Related Words:

Abandon	Baffle	Callous
Abhor	Ban	Chaotic
Abysmal	Barbaric	Cheap
Aggressive	Betray	Chide
Agony	Bitter	Complicate
Alienate	Blame	Condemn
Anguish	Blight	Confuse
Annoy	Boring	Corrupt
Anxious	Brash	Cruel
Arrogant	Brutal	Cynical
Damage	Egotistical	Fail
Danger	Embarrass	Fake
Deceive	Enrage	Fallacy
Defeat	Envy	Fatal
Defiant	Erratic	Fear
Depress	Evade	Feeble
Deride	Exclude	Feud
Despair	Exhaust	Flaw
Destroy	Exploit	Foolish
Disgust	Extort	Frustrate
Garrulous	Haphazard	Ignorant
Gaudy	Harass	Illogical
Glutton	Harm	Immature
Grieve	Harsh	Impair
Grudge	Hate	Impede
Gullible	Heinous	Impolite
Grimy	Horrible	Inane
Grievous	Hostile	Incite
Grim	Humiliate	Incompetent
Grotesque	Hypocritical	Infuriate
Jealous	Kill	Lame
Jittery	Knavish	Languish
Jeer	Knock	Lazy
Jaded	Kooky	Liable
Jaundiced	Kink	Lie
Jeopardize	Keen	Loathe
Jarring	Jitter	Lousy
Jinx	Judge	Ludicrous
Malice	Nasty	Obnoxious
Manipulate	Neglect	Obsessive
Meddle	Nefarious	Obsolete
Menace	Nuisance	Odious
Miserable	Numb	Offend
Mock	Nullify	Ominous
Morose	Nag	Oppress
Mourn	Nauseate	Outrage
Muddle	Niggardly	Overwhelm
Mute	Nonchalant	Ostracize
Pain	Quarrel	Rabid
Panic	Quash	Rage
Pathetic	Queasy	Rant
Peril	Quibble	Rebuff
Pessimistic	Quicksand	Reckless
Pity	Quell	Regret
Plague	Quarrelsome	Reject
Plummet	Quixotic	Repress
Prejudice	Quack	Repulse
Provoke	Quicksilver	Resent
Sabotage	Tarnish	Ugly
Sad	Tease	Unfair
Scorn	Terrify	Unkind
Slander	Threat	Untrustworthy
Sneer	Tragic	Upset
Spite	Treacherous	Useless
Stubborn	Troubled	Uproar
Subdue	Turbulent	Unyielding
Suffocate	Tyrant	Unstable
Suspicious	Tense	Uncouth
Vague	Wail	Xenophobic
Vain	Weary	Vex
Vengeful	Wicked	Whine
Vicious	Withdraw	Yell
Vindictive	Worry	Yucky
Violent	Wound	Yawn
Vile	Wrath	Zany
Volatile	Wretched	Zealot
Voracious	Wince	Zombie