Macabre: meaning, definitions and examples
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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.
|
| gruesome |
This word is appropriate for describing something causing repulsion or horror, often due to its explicit and graphic nature.
|
| ghastly |
It is used to describe something shockingly frightful or dreadful, often related to a horrifying experience or appearance.
|
| 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.
|
| eerie |
This word is best used when describing something strange or mysterious that induces worry or fear due to its unpredictability or inexplicability.
|
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.
|
| 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.
|
| sinister |
Sinister describes something that seems evil or harmful, suggesting that something bad will happen.
|
| 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.
|
| chilling |
Chilling refers to something that causes a feeling of fear or worry, often in a subtle or unexpected way.
|
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.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- 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.
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.
Translations
Translations of the word "macabre" in other languages:
๐ต๐น macabro
๐ฎ๐ณ เคญเคฏเคพเคจเค
๐ฉ๐ช makaber
๐ฎ๐ฉ menggerikan
๐บ๐ฆ ะผะพัะพัะพัะฝะธะน
๐ต๐ฑ makabryczny
๐ฏ๐ต ไธๆฐๅณใช
๐ซ๐ท macabre
๐ช๐ธ macabro
๐น๐ท รผrkรผtรผcรผ
๐ฐ๐ท ์ผ์ค์คํ
๐ธ๐ฆ ู ุฑูุน
๐จ๐ฟ dฤsivรฝ
๐ธ๐ฐ straลกidelnรฝ
๐จ๐ณ ๆๆ็
๐ธ๐ฎ grozljiv
๐ฎ๐ธ hryllilegur
๐ฐ๐ฟ าะพัาัะฝัััั
๐ฌ๐ช แจแแจแแก แแแแแแ แแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ qorxulu
๐ฒ๐ฝ macabro