awful vs dread

awful is not a noun while dread is a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
awful	No	Yes	No	Yes
dread	Yes	Yes	Yes	No

As adjectives, awful and dread are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of awful include dire, direful, dreaded, dreadful, fearful, fearsome, frightening, horrendous, horrific, terrible.

awful (noun)	dread (noun)
	fearful expectation or anticipation

awful (adjective)	dread (adjective)
offensive or even (of persons) malicious	causing fear or dread or terror
causing fear or dread or terror
exceptionally bad or displeasing
extreme in degree or extent or amount or impact
inspiring awe or admiration or wonder
inspired by a feeling of fearful wonderment or reverence

awful (verb)	dread (verb)
	be afraid or scared of; be frightened of

awful (adverb)	dread (adverb)
used as intensifiers