BLOODCURDLING Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

bloodcurdling

adjective

Definition of bloodcurdling

as in gruesome

causing great horror or fear We heard bloodcurdling stories about the war. bloodcurdling screams

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 bloodcurdling Bahm’s somewhat-frantic conversation with the dispatcher abruptly turned into bloodcurdling screams. — Sean Emery, Oc Register, 7 May 2026 India’s largest state, Uttar Pradesh, is run by Yogi Adityanath, a Hindu monk who founded an anti-Muslim militia and whose bloodcurdling rhetoric against Muslims once placed him beyond the pale of high office. — Sadanand Dhume, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2021 The sounds of more explosions could be heard deriving from the outside amid more seemingly bloodcurdling screams, yells, sirens and alarms. — Sean Lester Durham, The Root, 8 Apr. 2018 To me, a noose is merely a noose — not a bloodcurdling symbol of racist violence. — Kevin Riordan, Philly.com, 1 Nov. 2017

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bloodcurdling

Adjective

In a two-story warehouse on the back lot, just a few blocks away from the streets of Tumbleton, Mason gives me a tour of his prosthetics operation, which is currently abuzz with workers assembling gruesome wounds and other injuries.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
The utter carnage that follows brings major developments for all the main characters still on the chessboard — and many gruesome deaths by dragon fire, boiling oil, spikes and even catapults.

— Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of gruesome

Adjective

Gen gets to bust out her flapper dress only to witness the most horrific, awful, potentially career-destroying failure … the caviar, oysters, and bread are all crowded onto the bread plate.

— Emma Soren, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
In her very first on-screen role, Reeves brings a nuanced, brave, and deeply intuitive performance as the titular character, an eight-year-old San Francisco resident who witnesses a horrific crime and has to deal with the emotional fallout.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of horrific

Adjective

No prominent leader has explained what governments will do when the scariest AI capabilities are diffused around the world and become accessible to criminals and terrorists.

— Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 10 Aug. 2026
Universal’s annual Halloween Horror Nights is looking like an even scarier place to have a nice daaaate.

— James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of scary

Adjective

And what is perhaps most frightening, in those despondent moments that inevitably follow the exhilarating rush, is the realization that this enveloping abyss retains the imprint of our actions.

— Jan Tumlir, Artforum, 5 Aug. 2026
The video quickly sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with many viewers expressing relief that the ride's safety restraints appeared to do their job despite the frightening ordeal.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of frightening

Adjective

The monsters when finally shown in the light are more shrug worthy than creepy or terrifying.

— Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026
The great slope of Mulholland’s concrete gravity dam in the Hollywood Hills — a model for the one that failed — was covered with dirt to disguise its terrifying height.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of terrifying

Adjective

Spiridakos is terrific as the no-nonsense ranger who refuses to let herself be crushed by her past or present.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
For 12 terrific seasons now, the New England Revolution has celebrated their partnership with Special Olympics Massachusetts and the incredible impact of the Rev's Unified Team.

— Juli McDonald, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of terrific

Adjective

The shocking lack of answers does not appear to be for a lack of resources, rather it highlights perceived investigative missteps along the way.

— Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2026
The shocking report was nevertheless cheered by investors, who took the weakness in the labor market as a sign that the Federal Reserve won’t hike rates in September.

— Sarah Min, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of shocking

Browse Nearby Words

blood brothers

bloodcurdling

blooded

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Bloodcurdling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bloodcurdling. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of bloodcurdling

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on bloodcurdling

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

salvo

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

'Gaslighting,' 'Woke,' 'Democracy,' and Other Top Lookups

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes