grotesque.

bizarrely distorted, incongruous, or ugly in a way that can disturb or provoke laughter

Use it for

Words that belong together

• grotesque figure
• grotesque distortion
• grotesque mask

On the page

A grotesque mask hung over the bed.

The swelling gave his shadow a grotesque outline.

Her grotesque caricature made the room laugh uneasily.

Usage notes

Primary curation section: Horror. Can mix the comic and the disturbing; not every grotesque thing is frightening. Also a noun for a decorative figure or artistic style. Comparative: more grotesque; superlative: most grotesque. Related adverb: grotesquely.