adjective

hideous

HID-ee-us/ˈhɪdiəs/

Extremely unpleasant to see or experience.

The hideous pile of rotting food attracts flies.

A revolting heap of spoiled food spilling from a split garbage bag: fuzzy mold, collapsing fruit, leaking slime, and flies make the extreme unpleasantness immediately visible.

Etymology

Old French hideus emphasized horror and fright. The meaning broadened from what terrifies to what repels, connecting extreme ugliness or unpleasantness with a strong reaction of dread or disgust.

In context

British Library8:27

hideous Force hideous care hideous attention it seemed to sum up all the ways in which men could take you without your permission

Irish Writers' Weekend - Writing Other Selves. Megan Nolan, Susannah Dickey and Sasha de Buyl

More examples

A hideous noise came from the engine.
They endured a hideous journey through the storm.
The monster wore a hideous expression.

Forms

hideous

hideously adverb — in a very ugly or shocking way

Similar words

horrible: Causing horror or strong dislike.
ugly: Unpleasant in appearance.