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

The story of six people whose fates are tied together by a gruesome past act begins in the middle, when a burn victim is brought into a hospital in the fictional town of Guhoe, South Korea. —Kayti Burt, Time, 4 Apr. 2025

After conducting interviews and reviewing Hale’s digital devices, online accounts, artwork and writings, detectives managed to piece together the killer’s preparation and motivation behind the gruesome attack. —John Miller, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025

The Roman authorities persecuted Christians harshly, subjecting them to torture and deaths even more gruesome than crucifixion. —Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2025

Museum of Witch Hunt offers a unique and chilling insight into the fear of witches that swept across Europe and led to trials, persecutions, and gruesome executions. —David Nikel, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025