bloodless

adjective

blood·​less ˈbləd-ləs 

1

: deficient in or free from blood

2

: not accompanied by loss or shedding of blood

a bloodless victory

3

: lacking in spirit or vitality

4

: lacking in human feeling

bloodless statistics

bloodlessly adverb

bloodlessness noun

Examples of bloodless in a Sentence

They took control of the government in a bloodless coup.

Her speeches are dull and bloodless.

a bunch of bloodless numbers and statistics

His face was bloodless with fear.

Recent Examples on the Web

As a result, even formerly bloodless technocrats have found new vigor when being picked on by the Trump administration. —Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2025

Other hallmarks include the evolving tradition of the Bond girl, largely bloodless violence, and more. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 20 Feb. 2025

The ferocity of the 4 Nations tourney has turned the concept of a bloodless, anodyne All-Star break on its ear. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 19 Feb. 2025

In part because Colombian troops were unable to traverse harsh jungles, Panama declared an effectively bloodless independence within hours in November 1903. —Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

bloodless

adjective

blood·​less ˈbləd-ləs 

1

: having less blood than normal

2

: done without bloodshed

a bloodless revolution

3

: lacking in spirit or feeling

bloodlessly adverb

bloodlessness noun

Medical Definition

bloodless

adjective

blood·​less ˈbləd-ləs 

: free from or lacking blood

a bloodless surgical field

bloodlessly adverb