lurid
UK: ˈlʊərɪd | US: ˈlʊrɪd
adj. 1. Vivid or glaring in color, especially in a way that creates an unpleasant or unnatural effect.
adj. 2. Sensational or shocking, often in a deliberately exaggerated or distasteful manner.
The word lurid traces back to the Latin luridus, meaning "pale, wan, or ghastly." Over time, its meaning evolved to describe unnatural or glaring colors, often associated with sickness or horror. By the 19th century, it gained a figurative sense, referring to sensational or shocking content, likely due to its association with vivid, unsettling imagery. The morpheme lur preserves the original Latin root, while -id functions as an adjectival suffix.
The lurid glow of the neon sign made the street look eerie.
The tabloid published lurid details about the celebrity scandal.
His lurid description of the crime scene left the audience stunned.
The painting featured lurid shades of red and orange, clashing violently.
She avoided lurid headlines, preferring factual news reporting.