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grotesqueness

grotesqueness

1 8.1
A state when something looks ugly and strange in a way that shocks
  • noun
  • /ɡroʊˈtɛsknəs/
translation icon : grotesquedad
  • The movie's grotesqueness was evident in its portrayal of terrifying creatures and distorted figures.

Examples

  • In his case, the grotesqueness emerges from his propensity to discipline the body in excess.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Well, you see, my transplanted grotesqueness stayed, and so did I.

  • And the grotesqueness comes not so much from the landscape itself.

  • Much as there is a comic grotesqueness in the bizarre metamorphoses.

    Academic text (2016)
  • It is an act of total, unrelieved grotesqueness.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Your antics, great jackanapes-like, enormously increase your general grotesqueness.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • The Irish Sheelas show features such as lean ribs, tattooing, a certain grotesqueness, agonized looks, and headgear.

    Academic text (2000)
  • The contrasting images of youth and age, elegance and grotesqueness are also established, for the old musician himself was all bone, with knees that bent forward and a long shiny head, tier upon tier of wrinkles.

    Academic text (1997)
  • Here and there lie little snow-white towns along its shores, and between are the gray olive orchards that have something strangely human in their gnarled grotesqueness.

    Blog text (22)
  • The grotesqueness of the statue made many visitors uncomfortable during the exhibition.

Synonyms

monstrosity
vsgrotesqueness
23 8.2

A very ugly thing that looks frightening, often a building

focuses more on odd or comic distortion rather than only frightening form
ugliness
vsgrotesqueness
16 1.4

A quality of being unpleasant to look at

adds a sense of odd distortion and possible comic or repulsive effect
grotesquery
vsgrotesqueness
2 9.9

A strange, often ugly scene that looks distorted

is more about causing comic or repulsive reaction than merely odd form
hideousness
vsgrotesqueness
2 6.3

Extreme ugliness that makes people feel shocked or disgusted

adds absurd or distorted elements that can make viewers laugh or recoil
grotesquerie
vsgrotesqueness
1 9.9

A strange and ugly quality in people and things that shocks and interests

leans more toward causing comic or repulsive responses than simple bizarreness
disgustingness
vsgrotesqueness
1 6.5

How gross or unpleasant something is

emphasizes visual distortion and comic or repulsive looks rather than mere disgust
unsightliness
vsgrotesqueness
1 6.7

Being unpleasant to look at

often involves strange or exaggerated shapes that cause shock or laughter
unattractiveness
vsgrotesqueness
1 4.7

The way something looks when people do not find it pleasing

goes beyond plain plainness to include odd or repulsive distortion
monstrousness
vsgrotesqueness
7.8

The quality of being very ugly or cruel in a way that shocks people

tends to highlight bizarre or warped appearance rather than moral horror

Antonyms

847 1.0

A combination of qualities like shape and color that pleases the eye

1 3.2

A smooth, attractive way of moving like a dancer or swan

How Distorted

monstrosity
  • Offensive
8 8.6
grotesqueness
1 8.1
bizarreness
1 6.9
strangeness
12 5.5
oddness
1 5.8

Surface Forms

grotesqueness singular

Morphology

grotesqueness = grotesque (transparent) = grotesque + ness

Formed by a regular nominalization of the adjective 'grotesque' with '-ness', yielding the straightforward quality or state.

Etymology

Grotesqueness comes from the Italian word grottesca, which comes from grotta meaning 'cave' and is the same root as English grotto. Artists found strange, twisted pictures in old caves and called them 'grotesque', so grotesqueness means the quality of being strangely ugly or distorted.