bloodcurdling
adjective
blood·cur·dling
ˈbləd-ˌkərd-liŋ 
-ˌkər-dᵊl-iŋ
: arousing fright or horror
bloodcurdling screams
Examples of bloodcurdling in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In Act III, the bloodcurdling chorus of the Dutchman’s spectral crew lacked a persuasive visual component.
—
Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2020
The sounds of more explosions could be heard deriving from the outside amid more seemingly bloodcurdling screams, yells, sirens and alarms.
—Sean Lester Durham, The Root, 8 Apr. 2018
To me, a noose is merely a noose — not a bloodcurdling symbol of racist violence.
—Kevin Riordan, Philly.com, 1 Nov. 2017
A young girl issued bloodcurdling screams as nurses cleaned cuts running up her leg.
—Azam Ahmed, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2016
Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2020
The sounds of more explosions could be heard deriving from the outside amid more seemingly bloodcurdling screams, yells, sirens and alarms.
—Sean Lester Durham, The Root, 8 Apr. 2018
To me, a noose is merely a noose — not a bloodcurdling symbol of racist violence.
—Kevin Riordan, Philly.com, 1 Nov. 2017
A young girl issued bloodcurdling screams as nurses cleaned cuts running up her leg.
—Azam Ahmed, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2016
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bloodcurdling.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1724, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near bloodcurdling
Cite this Entry
“Bloodcurdling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bloodcurdling. Accessed 29 Nov. 2023.
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Kids Definition
bloodcurdling
adjective
blood·cur·dling
ˈbləd-ˌkərd-liŋ
-ᵊl-iŋ
: causing great horror or fear : terrifying
bloodcurdling screams
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