grotesque

/ɡroʊˈtɛsk/
noun
  1. A person or thing that is very ugly, strange, or unnatural.
    • The novel features a cast of grotesques, each more bizarre than the last.
    • The garden was decorated with stone grotesques that looked like monsters.
    • In the carnival, there was a tent full of grotesques and oddities.
  2. A style of art or decoration that uses strange, twisted, or fantastic forms, often combining human and animal features.
    • The designer used grotesque patterns in the wallpaper, with faces hidden in the vines.
    • The cathedral's walls were covered in medieval grotesque carvings.
    • The museum has a collection of Roman grotesque frescoes from ancient villas.
adjective
  1. Very ugly, strange, or unnatural in a way that is shocking or disturbing.
    • The artist painted a grotesque scene of war and destruction.
    • The movie's villain had a grotesque appearance that scared the children.
    • The old house was filled with grotesque statues of twisted faces.
  2. Extremely wrong, unfair, or shocking in a way that is hard to accept.
    • The judge called the crime a grotesque violation of human rights.
    • The company's treatment of its workers was absolutely grotesque.
    • It was a grotesque misuse of power by the government.
What does "grotesque" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean