Macabre Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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macabre
[mษหkษหbrษ ]
Definitions
art
Disturbing and horrifying because of involvement with or depiction of death and injury.
Synonyms
eerie, ghastly, gruesome, morbid.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| macabre |
Use this word when describing something that involves death or the supernatural and is intended to be disturbing or horrifying.
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| gruesome |
This word is appropriate for describing something causing repulsion or horror, often due to its explicit and graphic nature.
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| ghastly |
It is used to describe something shockingly frightful or dreadful, often related to a horrifying experience or appearance.
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| morbid |
This word is suitable when describing an unhealthy interest in disturbing subjects, especially death and disease. It can carry a negative connotation about someoneโs mental state.
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| eerie |
This word is best used when describing something strange or mysterious that induces worry or fear due to its unpredictability or inexplicability.
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Examples of usage
- The painting had a macabre beauty to it.
- The movie was filled with macabre scenes of violence and death.
literature
A style in art and literature that emphasizes the grotesque, mysterious, and the dark aspects of human nature.
Synonyms
chilling, grim, sinister, spooky.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| macabre |
Macabre is used to describe things that are gruesome and horrifying, often related to death or the supernatural.
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| grim |
Grim is often used to describe something that is very serious, dark, and without any hope. This can be in both literal and figurative contexts.
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| sinister |
Sinister describes something that seems evil or harmful, suggesting that something bad will happen.
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| spooky |
Spooky is used in a more casual or light-hearted sense to describe something that is eerie or unsettling, often related to ghosts or Halloween.
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| chilling |
Chilling refers to something that causes a feeling of fear or worry, often in a subtle or unexpected way.
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Examples of usage
- The writer was known for his macabre tales of horror and suspense.
- The play had a macabre atmosphere that kept the audience on edge.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Literature
- Many gothic novels, like Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' or Bram Stoker's 'Dracula', delve into themes that embody the macabre.
- The works of Edgar Allan Poe, particularly 'The Tell-Tale Heart', showcase a masterful use of macabre elements to create suspense and horror.
- The macabre has influenced many contemporary horror genres, leading to an explosion of themes surrounding death, fear, and the supernatural in literature today.
Art
- Artists like Francisco Goya created chilling works that explored dark themes, effectively utilizing the macabre in their paintings.
- The macabre is often reflected in visual art through motifs like skulls, graveyards, and dark landscapes, conveying a message about mortality.
- Famous artworks, like Hans Holbeinโs 'The Dance of Death', illustrate the cultural fascination with the macabre during the Renaissance period.
Film & Pop Culture
- Horror films often rely on a macabre aesthetic to provoke fear, with movies like 'Psycho' and 'The Shining' demonstrating this effectively.
- Television series such as 'American Horror Story' frequently explore macabre themes, blending horror with psychological complexity and societal issues.
- Animated films, such as 'Corpse Bride' by Tim Burton, showcase a unique interpretation of the macabre, combining whimsy and horror.
Psychology
- Interest in macabre themes can be linked to human psychology, as people are fascinated by death and the unknown.
- Engaging with macabre subjects may serve as a way for individuals to confront their own fears about mortality.
- Studies suggest that enjoying macabre content can lead to higher emotional resilience, allowing individuals to process their own fears and anxieties.
Origin of 'macabre'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'macabre' may come from the French term 'danse macabre', which means 'dance of death' and refers to a medieval allegory of the inevitability of death.
- It's believed that the term originated from the Arabic word 'maqabir', meaning graves or burial grounds.
- Initially used to describe art and literature that depicted grim subjects, it has evolved to encompass a wider range of spooky themes.
The word 'macabre' originated from the French word 'macabre', which means 'dance of death'. The term became popular during the Middle Ages to describe a genre of art that focused on the themes of death and mortality. The macabre style often depicted skeletons, graves, and other symbols of death. Over time, the word evolved to also describe a disturbing and unsettling quality in art, literature, and other forms of expression.