lurid

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lu·rid / ˈloŏrid/ • adj. very vivid in color, esp. so as to create an unpleasantly harsh or unnatural effect: lurid food colorings a pair of lurid shorts. ∎  (of a description) presented in vividly shocking or sensational terms, esp. giving explicit details of crimes or sexual matters: the more lurid details of the massacre were too frightening for the children.DERIVATIVES: lu·rid·ly adv.lu·rid·ness n.