bloody 1 of 2

Definition of bloodynext

bloody

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective bloody contrast with its synonyms?

The words gory and sanguinary are common synonyms of bloody. While all three words mean "affected by or involving the shedding of blood," bloody is applied especially to things that are actually covered with blood or are made up of blood.

bloody hands

Where would gory be a reasonable alternative to bloody?

In some situations, the words gory and bloody are roughly equivalent. However, gory suggests a profusion of blood and slaughter.

exceptionally gory, even for a horror movie

When could sanguinary be used to replace bloody?

The meanings of sanguinary and bloody largely overlap; however, sanguinary applies especially to something attended by, or someone inclined to, bloodshed.

the Civil War was America's most sanguinary conflict

How does the adjective bloody contrast with its synonyms?

The words gory and sanguinary are common synonyms of bloody. While all three words mean "affected by or involving the shedding of blood," bloody is applied especially to things that are actually covered with blood or are made up of blood.

bloody hands

Where would gory be a reasonable alternative to bloody?

In some situations, the words gory and bloody are roughly equivalent. However, gory suggests a profusion of blood and slaughter.

exceptionally gory, even for a horror movie

When could sanguinary be used to replace bloody?

The meanings of sanguinary and bloody largely overlap; however, sanguinary applies especially to something attended by, or someone inclined to, bloodshed.

the Civil War was America's most sanguinary conflict

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bloody
Adjective
One of the war's bloodiest battles The familiar sights of Brooklyn were nearly unrecognizable when the Battle of Brooklyn, one of the bloodiest battles of the war, was fought. Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026 But for all its twists and turns, Boston and her cast, writers, and directors never let up on the promise of the show’s title and the skin-crawling sensations the pilot’s opening scenes (of Rachel and Nicky’s wedding and its insane, bloody aftermath) giddily pile on. Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
Nearby, investigators impounded a shot-up, bloodied Nissan Altima. Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026 The steady stream of litigation has kept Paxton in the headlines in Texas, as Cornyn and his allies have spent heavily to try to bloody his image among Republican primary voters. Thomas Beaumont, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bloody
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bloody
Adjective
  • Set the scene At a cobblestoned intersection in the Tribeca North Historic District, an industrialist red brick facade gives way to eight floors of ethereal Art Deco interior design straight out of the South of France.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The rash often starts with small red spots and progresses to blisters that become scabbed over, the CDC says.
    Mike Darnay, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • This murderous regime also recently killed 45,000 of their own people who were protesting in Iran, 45,000 dead.
    James Powel, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
  • An account of life in Berlin from 1939 to 1945 under a murderous regime.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • In a social media post on Monday morning, Kuwait said a service building at a power generation and water desalination plant were damaged in an attack Sunday evening, killing one worker.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
  • At least 12 residents have been displaced after a three-alarm fire heavily damaged five homes in Pittsburgh's Bloomfield neighborhood, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety.
    Garrett Behanna, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Bed bugs are small reddish-brown insects that feed on the blood of sleeping humans and animals.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2026
  • This warm, reddish-brown MAC Eye Kohl Eyeliner Pencil instantly brightens and enhances the eyes, especially for those with green or hazel tones.
    Sarah Felbin, Allure, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Their reunion tour — which was somehow not marred by any type of familial controversy — sold out stadiums around the world and overexcelled in every conceivable way, setting the template for what the future of band reunions could look like and solidifying their legacy.
    Devon Ivie, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Ancient lava fields can be seen as dark lunar maria marring the silvery lunar surface, which themselves are threaded with bright streaks of reflective debris strewn across the surface by violent asteroid strikes.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Both parts display Harlin’s usual skill for escalating tension, his penchant for mixing gory terror with dark humor, and a visual precision that keeps the audience carefully acclimated to the spaces in which the various action sequences are set.
    Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 26 Mar. 2026
  • The idea came out of both nostalgia and the fact that Blood Pact’s first game, the exceptionally gory Bonesaw, did not sell especially well.
    Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • But the timing of this meltdown was brutal.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Orlando City heads west after a two-week break, trying to snap out of a brutal early-season slump, but the Lions face a steep climb against a Los Angeles FC squad that hasn’t conceded a goal this year.
    Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • That night, Kane was injured, and Carsley tried to pick the boldest, most talented team possible, with Jude Bellingham nominally up front, and Foden, Palmer, Gordon and Bukayo Saka in, too.
    Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026
  • The conditions for the three people injured in the shooting wasn't immediately available.
    Siafa Lewis, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bloody.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bloody. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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