gruesome

adjective grue·some \ˈgrü-səm\

Simple Definition of gruesome

: causing horror or disgust

Source: Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary

Full Definition of gruesome

: inspiring horror or repulsion : grisly

gruesomely

adverb

gruesomeness

noun

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Examples of gruesome in a sentence

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

Variants of gruesome

also

grewsome

\ˈgrü-səm\

Origin and Etymology 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

Synonym Discussion of gruesome

ghastly, grisly, gruesome, macabre, lurid mean horrifying and repellent in appearance or aspect. ghastly suggests the terrifying aspects of corpses and ghosts <a ghastly accident>. grisly and gruesome suggest additionally the results of extreme violence or cruelty <an unusually grisly murder> <suffered a gruesome death>. macabre implies a morbid preoccupation with the physical aspects of death <a macabre tale of premature burial>. lurid adds to gruesome the suggestion of shuddering fascination with violent death and especially with murder <the lurid details of a crime>.