gruesome

adjective

grue·​some ˈgrü-səm 

variants or less commonly grewsome

: inspiring horror or repulsion : grisly

gruesome stories of wounded comrades

gruesomely adverb

gruesomeness noun

Synonyms of gruesome

• horrific
• shocking
• horrible
• nightmare
• horrifying
• terrible
• frightening
• terrific
• terrifying
• dreadful

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Rebel forces in the northern Ethiopian region of Tigray launched a major offensive against the government, ending a four-year ceasefire that had halted a gruesome conflict. — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 24 Sep. 2026

But prosecutors presented six days of testimony with dozens of witnesses that painted gruesome images of violent revenge. — Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026

The scene-stealing role brought her a best supporting actress Oscar nomination, a rarity for comedy — especially given that in the film’s famously gruesome food poisoning set-piece, Megan uses a sink as a toilet. — Kate Aurthur, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026

Lizzie, who was 32 years old at the time and living at home, became the prime suspect in the gruesome murders, and was arrested and charged shortly after their deaths. — Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

gruesome

adjective

grue·​some ˈgrü-səm 

: causing horror or disgust : horrible

gruesomely adverb

gruesomeness noun