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Glite Dictionary
👻 Frightening quality ☠️ Morbid interest
ghoulishness

ghoulishness

1 8.8
A disturbing interest in death and suffering
  • noun
  • /ˈɡuːlɪʃnəs/
  • NSFW
: morbo
  • Many horror stories thrive on the ghoulishness of their themes, captivating audiences who enjoy the macabre.

Examples

  • The film's ghoulishness was evident in its graphic depictions of horror and death.

  • And yet I'm guessing he too would see in our current rash of ghoulishness something more than simply good fun.

    Blog text (31)

  • And why would you suspect me of this ghoulishness?

    Fiction book (2001)

  • Her fascination with the ghoulishness of graveyards often led her to explore abandoned places at night.

Synonyms

morbidness
vsghoulishness
1 8.8

An unhealthy interest in sad or frightening things

focuses more on cruel fascination with death, suffering, and the macabre

Antonyms

compassion
344 2.7

A strong feeling of care for someone who is suffering and a wish to help them

kindness
257 1.0

Friendly and generous actions that help or comfort other people

Surface Forms

ghoulishness singular
ghoulishnesses plural

Morphology

ghoulishness = ghoulish (transparent) = ghoul + ish + ness

Derived by adding '-ness' to the adjective 'ghoulish'; the specific sense ('morbid interest in death') follows directly from the adjective.

Etymology

Ghoulishness comes from the Arabic ghūl ('a monster that eats the dead') and the English ghoul, a creature said to take pleasure in the dead. That's why ghoulishness can also mean an unhealthy or morbid interest in death, suffering, or the macabre.