Dreadful

I have heard some dreadful news recently. It seems the horizon is bleak all around.

Bleak -- 1. exposed, bare, barren; 2. cold, cutting; 3. cheerless, dreary.
From Old Norse.

Dread -- v.t. to anticipate with great fear or anxiety.
adj. 1. causing great fear; terrible.
2. exciting awe.
n. 1. a terrifying feeling as of fear or danger.
2. awe.
From Old English.

Dreadful -- adj. awful, terrible.

Awe is an awful word. Or awesome. Depends on how you look at it. "Awesome" is bright and cheery, whereas "Awful" is dreadful!