gruesome
adjective
Synonyms
- appalling
- atrocious
- awful
- dreadful
- frightful
- ghastly
- grisly
- hideous
- horrendous
- horrible
- horrid
- horrific
- horrifying
- lurid
- macabre
- monstrous
- nightmare
- nightmarish
- shocking
- terrible
- terrific
Example Sentences
The Editors, Town & Country, 9 Sep. 2022 It’s not just Europe that has seen such extraordinary and gruesome revelations. Duncan Madden, Forbes, 26 Aug. 2022 This results in the world’s most gruesome, medieval C-section, which kills Aemma but saves the baby — and it’s a boy. Jordan Moreau, Variety, 21 Aug. 2022 Why the trial over Kobe Bryant crash photos has gotten so gruesome. Laura L. Davis, USA TODAY, 18 Aug. 2022 Although the recent incidents seem especially gruesome, officials say the violence has been brewing for over a decade. María Luisa Paúl, Washington Post, 16 Aug. 2022 Weisberg recently worked with a high-profile actress client who was targeted in a particularly gruesome fashion. Tatiana Siegel, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2022 On Thursday afternoon, the Ravens once again faced another hot and gruesome practice. Jonas Shaffer, Baltimore Sun, 4 Aug. 2022 Bovaird points to the instantly recognizable red cowboy suit worn by Steven Yeun’s fame-hungry character, Jupe, during a pivotal, and gruesome, scene. André-naquian Wheeler, Vogue, 4 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
alteration of earlier growsome, from English dialect grow, grue to shiver, from Middle English gruen, probably from Middle Dutch grūwen; akin to Old High German ingrūēn to shiver
circa 1700, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
gruesome
adjective
J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secretsgruesome
adjective
Synonyms & Similar Words
- horrific
- shocking
- horrible
- frightening
- awful
- terrible
- grisly
- horrifying
- macabre
- scary
- terrifying
- sickening
- hideous
- nightmarish
- disgusting
- dreadful
- ghastly
- nightmare
- appalling
- horrid
- dire
- frightful
- ugly
- terrific
- direful
- lurid
- horrendous
- monstrous
- atrocious
- alarming
- revolting
- heinous
- loathsome
- repulsive
- obscene
- grotesque
- bloodcurdling
- offensive
- gut-wrenching
- nauseating
- unspeakable
- formidable
- vile
- intimidating
- repugnant
- abhorrent
- abominable
- fearsome
- fearful
- odious
- deplorable
- forbidding
- obnoxious
- disagreeable
- evil
- distasteful
- hair-raising
- heart-stopping
- redoubtable
- noxious
- noisome
- unsightly
- foul
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- delightful
- pleasant
- attractive
- delicious
- enjoyable
- appealing
- satisfying
- pleasurable
- delectable
- enticing
- agreeable
- pleasing
- welcome
- inviting
- comforting
- soothing
- cheering
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of gruesome are ghastly, grisly, lurid, and macabre. While all these words mean "horrifying and repellent in appearance or aspect," grisly and gruesome suggest additionally the results of extreme violence or cruelty.
The words ghastly and gruesome can be used in similar contexts, but ghastly suggests the terrifying aspects of corpses and ghosts.
Lurid adds to gruesome the suggestion of shuddering fascination with violent death and especially with murder.
While the synonyms macabre and gruesome are close in meaning, macabre implies a morbid preoccupation with the physical aspects of death.