lurid
What does "lurid" mean?
Lurid describes something that is presented in a way that is deliberately shocking, sensational, or gruesome. It often carries the connotation of being luridly colorful—think of a bright, garish, or unnatural neon glow that feels slightly unsettling or aggressive to the eyes. In usage, it is most frequently applied to media reports, crime stories, or gossip that focuses on explicit or graphic details for the sake of grabbing attention. It suggests a lack of taste or a desire to provoke a visceral, often negative, reaction in the audience.
"lurid" in conversation
Discussing a tabloid headline
Did you see the cover of that magazine today?
Did you see the cover of that magazine today?
Yeah, the headline was incredibly lurid.
Yeah, the headline was incredibly lurid.
It’s just cheap sensationalism.
It’s just cheap sensationalism.
Used to describe media that exploits graphic details.
Describing a painting
What do you think of this gallery piece?
What do you think of this gallery piece?
The colors are a bit too lurid for my living room.
The colors are a bit too lurid for my living room.
Fair enough, they are quite aggressive.
Fair enough, they are quite aggressive.
Used to describe colors that are unpleasantly bright.
"lurid" in a sentence
The tabloid published a lurid account of the scandal.
The tabloid published a lurid account of the scandal.
The sunset cast a lurid glow over the dark, stormy landscape.
The sunset cast a lurid glow over the dark, stormy landscape.
She found the lurid details of the detective novel both repulsive and impossible to put down.
She found the lurid details of the detective novel both repulsive and impossible to put down.
