Synonyms of gruesome

gruesome

adjective

ˈgrü-səm 

variants also grewsome

as in horrific

extremely disturbing or repellent

didn't stick around to hear the gruesome details of the car accident

Synonyms & Similar Words

• horrific
• horrible
• shocking
• terrible
• awful
• frightening
• grisly
• scary
• horrifying
• macabre
• hideous
• dreadful
• sickening
• terrifying
• disgusting
• nightmarish
• nightmare
• dire
• appalling
• ghastly
• horrid
• terrific
• ugly
• direful
• frightful
• monstrous
• lurid
• horrendous
• atrocious
• alarming
• formidable
• revolting
• offensive
• repulsive
• loathsome
• obscene
• fearful
• heinous
• vile
• repugnant
• unspeakable
• grotesque
• fearsome
• gut-wrenching
• abhorrent
• deplorable
• obnoxious
• abominable
• disagreeable
• evil
• odious
• bloodcurdling
• distasteful
• forbidding
• hair-raising
• heart-stopping
• nauseating
• redoubtable
• intimidating
• noxious
• noisome
• unsightly
• foul

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pleasant
• attractive
• delightful
• delicious
• enjoyable
• appealing
• satisfying
• pleasurable
• welcome
• agreeable
• enticing
• delectable
• pleasing
• inviting
• comforting
• soothing
• cheering

Synonym Chooser

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of gruesome

Notorious madman Charles Manson, who died in prison in 2017 at age 83, and a group of his followers terrorized the Los Angeles area in 1969 by committing at least seven gruesome murders, including actress Sharon Tate. —William Earl, Variety, 30 Jan. 2025

Friday’s 102-86 setback in Brooklyn - marked by a gruesome fourth quarter in which Miami was outscored 31-9 – left the Heat at 25-25. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 8 Feb. 2025

Osgood Perkins is back in his horror bag to bring the short story from Stephen King to the big screen, following twin brothers Bill and Hal, who find their father's old toy monkey in the attic, an event which leads to a series of gruesome deaths. —Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025

Bores wrote in his 1590 chapbook a year later that Stumpp’s head was also severed from his body and placed upon a stake, providing a gruesome warning to the community. —Sean Neumann, People.com, 1 Feb. 2025