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Glite Dictionary
☠️ Morbid interest 👻 Frightening quality
ghoulishness

ghoulishness

1 8.8
A disturbing interest in death and suffering
  • noun
  • /ˈɡuːlɪʃnəs/
  • NSFW
translation icon : 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
8.8

An unhealthy interest in sad or frightening things

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

Antonyms

compassion
423 2.7

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

kindness
297 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.