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 This book that tells the compelling story of world famous racehorse, Alydar and his career, the gruesome details of his mysterious death, and the long process of unearthing of the facts and the shameless greed of those around the horse. —

Grrlscientist, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024 At the end of ’18, a gruesome leg injury kept him off the field for the next two years. —

Matt Murschel, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Dec. 2024 Listen to this article An Illinois appeals court on Friday overturned the murder conviction of a former Northwestern University professor who was convicted in the gruesome killing of his boyfriend, ruling that a Cook County judge unlawfully barred him access to his attorney during the trial. —

Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 6 Dec. 2024 A little boy stumbles upon a convention of murderous, child-hating witches who keep their scabby bald heads and gruesome claws (the work of Jim Henson’s Creature Shop) hidden beneath wigs and gloves. —

Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 25 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for gruesome

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gruesome

Adjective

Former detainees at the horrific Saydnaya prison near Damascus said Amer had disappeared in mid-April 2015 after being tortured there.

Raja Razek, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024
Eric Gordon was also supposed to provide some secondary ball-handling off the bench in theory, but the soon-to-be 36-year-old is off to a horrific start this season.

Bryan Toporek, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024