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nightmare
/ˈnaɪt.mɛə/
The term carries a heavy emotional weight of helplessness and entrapment. When used for dreams, it implies a visceral, involuntary terror that lingers upon waking. It suggests a loss of control over one's own subconscious environment. In a waking context, it describes a chaotic sequence of failures or stressors. It is often used hyperbolically to describe bureaucratic frustration or logistical disasters, shifting the meaning from internal horror to external exasperation.
Countable in both senses, whether referring to a single scary dream or a specific disastrous event like a bad holiday.
Meanings
A frightening or unpleasant dream, typically one that causes strong feelings of anxiety or horror.
"He woke up gasping for air after a terrifying nightmare about falling."
A very unpleasant or frightening experience or prospect.
"Trying to get a taxi in the rain during rush hour was an absolute nightmare."