GRUESOME Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'gruesome' different from other adjectives like it?

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. // an unusually grisly murder // suffered a gruesome death

Q: Where would 'ghastly' be a reasonable alternative to 'gruesome'?

The words ghastly and gruesome can be used in similar contexts, but ghastly suggests the terrifying aspects of corpses and ghosts. // a ghastly accident

Q: How do 'lurid' and 'gruesome' relate to one another?

Lurid adds to gruesome the suggestion of shuddering fascination with violent death and especially with murder. // the lurid details of a crime

Q: When can 'macabre' be used instead of 'gruesome'?

While the synonyms macabre and gruesome are close in meaning, macabre implies a morbid preoccupation with the physical aspects of death. // a macabre tale of premature burial

gruesome

adjective

ˈgrü-səm

variants also grewsome

Definition of gruesome next

as in horrific

extremely disturbing or repellent didn't stick around to hear the gruesome details of the car accident

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How is the word gruesome different from other adjectives like it?

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.

an unusually grisly murder

suffered a gruesome death

Where would ghastly be a reasonable alternative to gruesome?

The words ghastly and gruesome can be used in similar contexts, but ghastly suggests the terrifying aspects of corpses and ghosts.

a ghastly accident

How do lurid and gruesome relate to one another?

Lurid adds to gruesome the suggestion of shuddering fascination with violent death and especially with murder.

the lurid details of a crime

When can macabre be used instead of gruesome?

While the synonyms macabre and gruesome are close in meaning, macabre implies a morbid preoccupation with the physical aspects of death.

a macabre tale of premature burial

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of gruesome One popular, gruesome theory has it that a truck ran her over and then sped away, but what happened for sure, no one can tell. —

Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024 Before his gruesome leg injury, the 24-year-old pass-rusher was on pace to secure an NFL Defensive Player of the Year trophy. —

Jesse Reed, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024 With a hushed reverence (the film’s splendid, Chopin-heavy soundtrack goes pin-drop silent here), James escorts them through the stark, gruesome chambers of the compound, accompanied by the ghosts of its countless victims. —

Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024 But as the gruesome murders continue, Sheriff Weaver (Mulroney) struggles to catch the killer, and the town spirals into panic. —

Marc Malkin, Variety, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for gruesome

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gruesome

Adjective

But when Harvey goes missing, Batman is forced to descend into the city’s labyrinthian underground, uncovering a horrific conspiracy by a secret society that has ruled Gotham for ages, one that has ties to his parents’ tragic murder.

Todd Spangler, Variety, 19 Nov. 2024
Iran possessing nukes represents an existential threat to Israel’s security in a way that terror groups—despite their horrific actions—simply never did.

Carrie A. Lee, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2024