as in gruesome
causing great horror or fear
We heard bloodcurdling stories about the war. bloodcurdling screams
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Recent Examples of bloodcurdling
India’s largest state, Uttar Pradesh, is run by Yogi Adityanath, a Hindu monk who founded an anti-Muslim militia and whose bloodcurdling rhetoric against Muslims once placed him beyond the pale of high office.
—
Sadanand Dhume, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2021
In Act III, the bloodcurdling chorus of the Dutchman’s spectral crew lacked a persuasive visual component.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2020
The sounds of more explosions could be heard deriving from the outside amid more seemingly bloodcurdling screams, yells, sirens and alarms.
—Sean Lester Durham, The Root, 8 Apr. 2018
To me, a noose is merely a noose — not a bloodcurdling symbol of racist violence.
—Kevin Riordan, Philly.com, 1 Nov. 2017
A young girl issued bloodcurdling screams as nurses cleaned cuts running up her leg.
—Azam Ahmed, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2016
Sadanand Dhume, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2021
In Act III, the bloodcurdling chorus of the Dutchman’s spectral crew lacked a persuasive visual component.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2020
The sounds of more explosions could be heard deriving from the outside amid more seemingly bloodcurdling screams, yells, sirens and alarms.
—Sean Lester Durham, The Root, 8 Apr. 2018
To me, a noose is merely a noose — not a bloodcurdling symbol of racist violence.
—Kevin Riordan, Philly.com, 1 Nov. 2017
A young girl issued bloodcurdling screams as nurses cleaned cuts running up her leg.
—Azam Ahmed, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bloodcurdling
Adjective
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The 6-foot-3 senior suffered a gruesome injury in Green Mountain’s 3A quarterfinal win over Severance on Nov. 22.—
Matt Schubert,
The Denver Post,
14 Mar. 2025
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Who was Charles Manson? Manson was a cult leader in the late 1960s known for orchestrating gruesome murders in Los Angeles.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Now The horrific atrocities experienced by children in Sudan will leave life-long scars - if the children are lucky enough to survive the hostilities, famine, diseases, and other risks.—
Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab,
Forbes,
16 Mar. 2025
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But now the Trump administration’s lack of empathy threatens other children and families facing such horrific diagnoses.—
Dayna Copeland,
The Mercury News,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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There’s a lot to love with Tuten and his ceiling is super high, but the floor is extremely scary because of his fumbles.—
Steve Bradshaw,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
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The incident was so scary that cameras didn't show Goldsmith on the ice being tended by trainers.—
Ryan Canfield,
Fox News,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Granted that a 1 degree Celsius change in world average temperature can translate into a 4-degree Celsius increase in some of the most climate precarious countries, this last scenario is frightening.—
Mike O'Sullivan,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
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While studying a rare species whose mating call appears to be the frightening shrieks the team has been hearing in the woods, the pair hired Kodiak (McHale) as their guide.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Tran swears that having a physical manifestation to interact with is why the terrifying sequences work.—
Simon Thompson,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
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But actually just look at it and go, look, this is really, really scary and terrifying.—
Emily Maddick,
Glamour,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In less than 25 minutes, Jarrett provided a terrific start to what the Bears could market as a fun tear-off calendar of one-a-day Gradyisms.—
Dan Wiederer,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2025
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There's Connie Britton...Dan [Stevens] was terrific.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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It’s been a shocking decline for the stock, which went public in late January and has already lost around two-thirds of its value.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2025
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The implications of three shocking pieces of news have hardly registered—yet.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The tech giant had a horrible week, off nearly 11% in the period despite Friday’s relief bounce.—
Pia Singh,
CNBC,
14 Mar. 2025
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This is really happening and these horrible things are happening and that this person doesn't want to be happening.—
Patrick Gomez,
EW.com,
14 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bloodcurdling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bloodcurdling. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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