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bloody

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective bloody contrast with its synonyms?

The words gory and sanguinary are common synonyms of bloody. While all three words mean "affected by or involving the shedding of blood," bloody is applied especially to things that are actually covered with blood or are made up of blood.

bloody hands

Where would gory be a reasonable alternative to bloody?

In some situations, the words gory and bloody are roughly equivalent. However, gory suggests a profusion of blood and slaughter.

exceptionally gory, even for a horror movie

When could sanguinary be used to replace bloody?

The meanings of sanguinary and bloody largely overlap; however, sanguinary applies especially to something attended by, or someone inclined to, bloodshed.

the Civil War was America's most sanguinary conflict

Example 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 bloody
Adjective
For example, at Chester’s Roman Amphitheatre, centurion Marcus Aurelius Nepos tells about England’s bloody combat history at the spot. Jennifer Billock, Smithsonian, 30 June 2017 Collapsing the roof isn’t a spur-of-the-moment thing, either—our experience involved about three minutes, two swearing fits, and at least one bloody knuckle. Mike Duff, Car and Driver, 30 June 2017
Verb
More News: Philadelphia Police Do 'Tush Push' During Eagles Super Bowl Parade Roseman was left bloodied after being struck in the forehead by a stray beer can during the team's Super Bowl parade. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025 The final photograph, David Northall's 'Spiked,' shows a relentless honey badger doubling back to attack a porcupine that has left the badger bloodied and covered in large quills. Rachel Raposas, People.com, 5 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bloody
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bloody
Adjective
  • In between walking red carpets and attending charity events together, the pair welcomed two children, daughters Evangeline Ruth and Elijah.
    Ellie Beeck, Peoplemag, 6 Feb. 2023
  • Music’s biggest night returns to Los Angeles on Sunday, and along with it, one of Hollywood’s grandest red carpets.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2023
Adjective
  • The song is about a man who doesn’t appear to be murderous being the ultimate killer.
    Alan Light, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
  • That discomfort makes sense, as Pap returns to earth to let Juicy know his death was by Rev’s murderous hands, and the only way to avenge him is to make Juicy’s own hands a killing weapon.
    David John Chávez, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Their son and daughter-in-law, Cameron Bott, 35, and his wife, Diana, 36, whose nearby home was damaged in the tornado, initiated a discussion about starting a GoFundMe to offset potential insurance shortfalls in rebuilding the gas station.
    Tammy Ljungblad, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Nicknamed the Worm Moon, the lunation is also known as a Blood Moon because of its reddish hue that glows as a result of its alignment between the Earth and the sun.
    Skyler Caruso, People.com, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Two of nature’s most dazzling phenomena overlapped during a narrow window on March 13, 2025, when totality — the period when the lunar surface turns a reddish color — lasted just 65 minutes.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The dashboard was part of an extended pressure campaign from Buttigieg, who, during his tenure in the Biden administration, publicly challenged the major carriers to improve service and transparency—particularly after a summer marred by cancellations and flight delays.
    Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 8 Apr. 2025
  • What to Know Artists like Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift have previously clashed with ticketing platforms, with Swift's 2022 tour marred by widespread ticket access issues.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Goosed by a couple gratuitous interludes of gory amateur surgery, the movie is eventful, with a high body count.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The gory mess of a limb that may never be usable again.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway fared better than the S & P 500 in a brutal week as investors embraced the safety of a cash-rich conglomerate while President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariffs wreaked havoc on Wall Street.
    Yun Li, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025
  • This all comes as the economy reels from Trump’s sweeping tariffs on U.S. trading partners after brutal few days for the stock market.
    The Hill Staff, The Hill, 5 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Terribly shaken, bursting into tears, but not injured.
    Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025
  • With Lewis Hall out injured, Tino Livramento is set to play left-back.
    Gregg Evans, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bloody.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bloody. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

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