bloody 1 of 2

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

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
For example, at Chester’s Roman Amphitheatre, centurion Marcus Aurelius Nepos tells about England’s bloody combat history at the spot. Jennifer Billock, Smithsonian, 30 June 2017 Collapsing the roof isn’t a spur-of-the-moment thing, either—our experience involved about three minutes, two swearing fits, and at least one bloody knuckle. Mike Duff, Car and Driver, 30 June 2017
Verb
In the footage for audiences at CinemaCon, Superman dropped to Earth bloodied near the Fortress of Solitude. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2025 Thankfully, unlike last year, no one's been bloodied this time around. Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for bloody
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bloody
Adjective
  • In between walking red carpets and attending charity events together, the pair welcomed two children, daughters Evangeline Ruth and Elijah.
    Ellie Beeck, Peoplemag, 6 Feb. 2023
  • Music’s biggest night returns to Los Angeles on Sunday, and along with it, one of Hollywood’s grandest red carpets.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2023
Adjective
  • As the icky Ick mutates from being a benign vine-like growth to a murderous alien entity, Hank might have a surprising, unexpected relationship with his student Grace (Malina Pauli Weissman) who just happens to be the daughter of Suvari’s Staci, his high school romance.
    Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 26 July 2025
  • Maybe audiences in 2025 will be more embracing of a murderous St. Nick than in the 1980s.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 26 July 2025
Verb
  • Anything that damages the trust between the vendor, Microsoft, and the user is as much a threat as the hackers themselves, in my never humble opinion.
    Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • The beaver pond upstream of Lake Angeline drained early Thursday, July 17, causing reddish sediment to empty into the water, according to a news release from the DNR.
    Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 23 July 2025
  • So, too, the contrast between Aldebaran’s reddish glow and the white brilliance of Venus.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
Verb
  • During questioning at the Austin Police Department, Mejia marred her credibility and inadvertently presented herself as a compulsive liar by initially telling police different stories about how Casiano was burned.
    Bianca Moreno-Paz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • Processing The Hulkster’s legacy in real-time is tough — not just because of his greatness, but because of the blemishes that marred his career inside and outside the ring.
    Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 24 July 2025
Adjective
  • The ensuing action is gory and frightening — and even Wong got a little spooked by Hawkins.
    Eric Andersson, People.com, 31 May 2025
  • Watch out for the brutal violence peppered throughout this journey across three eras, though, as this may be the series' goriest entry yet.
    Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • This created a growing population of vulnerable, undocumented workers in the 1960s and ’70s who increasingly faced brutal apprehensions.
    Jimmy Patino, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 July 2025
  • According to an arrest affidavit obtained by USA Today, the 21-year-old approached a woman from behind at a self-checkout lane at a Walmart in Tennessee, and launched into a brutal attack.
    Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • Shooting comes 3 years after another incident The July 25 shooting comes less than three years after another fatal attack at a University of New Mexico housing building left one student dead and three campus visitors injured.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 25 July 2025
  • The boyfriend and dog weren’t injured in the attack.
    Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bloody.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bloody. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on bloody

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!