WordWeb Online

1. The journalistic use of subject matter that appeals to vulgar tastes
   "the tabloids relied on luridness to maintain their circulation";
   - sensationalism
    
2. Unnatural lack of colour in the skin (as from bruising, sickness or emotional distress)
   - lividness, lividity, paleness, pallidness, pallor, wanness, achromasia
    
3. The quality of being ghastly
   - ghastliness, grimness, gruesomeness

Type of: complexion, frightfulness, journalese, skin color [US], skin colour [Brit, Cdn]

Encyclopedia: Luridness