Dreadful \Dread"ful\, a.

1. Full of dread or terror; fearful. [Obs.]

``With dreadful heart.'' --Chaucer.

2. Inspiring dread; impressing great fear; fearful; terrible; as, a dreadful storm. `` Dreadful gloom.'' --Milton.

For all things are less dreadful than they seem. --Wordsworth.

3. Inspiring awe or reverence; awful. [Obs.]

``God's dreadful law.'' --Shak.

Syn: Fearful; frightful; terrific; terrible; horrible; horrid; formidable; tremendous; awful; venerable. See Frightful.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)