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DictionarymonstrousShocking wickedness
adjective

monstrous

Grotesque or unnatural in appearance.

The mask gives her face a monstrous, twisted appearance.

Etymology
monstrousLatinmonstrous

The Latin ancestor concerns a monster or portent. The adjective applies that abnormal, alarming image to an appearance that seems grotesque or contrary to nature.

In context

Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art36:21
one critic called the exhibition a monstrous mass of matter confused and heterogeneous
Georgian Provocations II: A Black King in Georgian London: British Art and Postrevolutionary Haiti

More examples

  • He draws monstrous creatures with crooked limbs and bulging eyes.
  • The twisted branches cast monstrous shadows on the wall.
  • With its extra eyes, the puppet looks more monstrous than human.

Forms

monstrous · more monstrous · most monstrous

monster noun — An imaginary creature with a frightening appearance.

monstrosity noun — Something grotesque or unnatural in appearance.

Similar words

grotesque
Emphasizes bizarre distortions that can be frightening or absurd.
distorted
Describes a shape altered from its normal form.
hideous
Emphasizes extreme ugliness rather than an unnatural appearance.