For negative experiences or things:
* Terrible: This is a very general synonym for "awful," indicating something unpleasant or bad.
* Dreadful: This implies something causing fear or disgust.
* Horrific: This suggests something extremely unpleasant, often involving violence or pain.
* Appalling: This emphasizes the shocking or offensive nature of something.
* Disgusting: This suggests something causing revulsion or distaste.
* Abysmal: This emphasizes the extreme negativity or low quality of something.
* Miserable: This suggests something causing great unhappiness or discomfort.
* Horrible: This is similar to "terrible" but often carries a stronger connotation of disgust or fear.
* Deplorable: This implies something deserving of strong disapproval.
* Tragic: This suggests something causing great sadness or loss.
For poor quality or performance:
* Lousy: This is a more informal synonym for "awful," indicating something of very low quality.
* Terrible: Can also apply here, meaning something extremely bad or lacking in quality.
* Awful: Can also apply here, meaning something of very poor quality.
* Shocking: This suggests something unexpectedly bad or of low quality.
* Dreadful: This can imply something of very poor quality, often in a humorous way.
For something that makes you feel uneasy or uncomfortable:
* Creepy: This suggests something unsettling or strange.
* Eerie: This implies something mysterious or supernatural.
* Unsettling: This suggests something causing a feeling of unease or disquiet.
The best synonym for "awful" will depend on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.