Definition of sanguinary
1
: bloodthirsty, murderous
sanguinary hatred
2
: attended by bloodshed : bloody
this bitter and sanguinary war— T. H. D. Mahoney
3
: consisting of blood
a sanguinary stream
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
The Exceptions Quiz III
-
- Which of these words does not mean "nonsense"?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share sanguinary
Time Traveler for sanguinary
The first known use of sanguinary was circa 1623
See more words from the same year