Ghastly
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3
Shock Value
Use 'ghastly' to express shock or strong disapproval of something visually or morally disturbing. The ghastly images from the war-torn area shocked everyone.
Pro Tip 2/3
Intensity
Use 'ghastly' to intensify the description of a horrifying scene or event, beyond 'bad' or 'unpleasant'. After the earthquake, survivors described the aftermath as ghastly.
Pro Tip 3/3
Not Literal
Sometimes 'ghastly' is used metaphorically to express a severe level of disapproval unrelated to physical sights. Her betrayal felt ghastly, leaving a lingering sense of unease.