gruesome

grue·some

adjective \ˈgrü-səm\

Definition of GRUESOME

: inspiring horror or repulsion : grisly

— grue·some·ly adverb

— grue·some·ness noun

Variants of GRUESOME

grue·some also grew·some \ˈgrü-səm\

Examples of GRUESOME

1. The police report described the scene in gruesome detail.
2. <didn't stick around to hear the gruesome details of the car accident>

Origin of GRUESOME

alteration of earlier growsome, from English dialect grow, grue to shiver, from Middle English gruen, probably from Middle Dutch grūwen; akin to Old High German ingrūēn to shiver

First Known Use: circa 1700

Related to GRUESOME

Synonyms

appalling, atrocious, awful, dreadful, frightful, ghastly, grisly, horrible (also grewsome), hideous, horrendous, horrid, horrific, horrifying, lurid, macabre, monstrous, nightmare, nightmarish, shocking, terrible, terrific

Related Words

alarming, bloodcurdling, dire, direful, fearful, fearsome, forbidding, formidable, frightening, gut-wrenching, hair-raising, heart-stopping, intimidating, redoubtable, scary, terrifying; abhorrent, deplorable, disagreeable, disgusting, distasteful, loathsome, nauseating, noisome, obnoxious, obscene, offensive, repugnant, repulsive, revolting, sickening; abominable, evil, foul, heinous, noxious, odious, unspeakable, vile; grotesque, ugly, unsightly

Near Antonyms

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

See Synonym Discussion at ghastly

Rhymes with GRUESOME

twosome