as in gruesome
causing great horror or fear
We heard bloodcurdling stories about the war. bloodcurdling screams
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Example Sentences
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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
In Act III, the bloodcurdling chorus of the Dutchman’s spectral crew lacked a persuasive visual component.
—
Alex Ross,
The New Yorker,
16 Mar. 2020
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
A young girl issued bloodcurdling screams as nurses cleaned cuts running up her leg.
—
Azam Ahmed,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2016
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
In Act III, the bloodcurdling chorus of the Dutchman’s spectral crew lacked a persuasive visual component.
—
Alex Ross,
The New Yorker,
16 Mar. 2020
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
A young girl issued bloodcurdling screams as nurses cleaned cuts running up her leg.
—
Azam Ahmed,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bloodcurdling
Adjective
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Chris Brown was found liable by a Los Angeles jury on Tuesday for $13 million in the gruesome case of a dog that mauled and disfigured his housekeeper at his home in 2020.
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But as the days dragged on, headlines about power outages and water shortages took a back seat to a far more gruesome and horrific reality.
Adjective
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Chicago city officials have never forgotten the lessons of the historic and horrific heat wave of July 1995, which killed 739 people in the Chicago area.
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Many of these countries are well known for horrific human rights abuses, lack of justice and abysmal detention conditions.
Adjective
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Authorities say the scary situation happened at the end of a ride on May 10.
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As a child life specialist, Hartz’s job is to make the hospital experience less scary.
Adjective
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The hypocrisy is stunning, and frightening.
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Yes, the Scots played poorly, but Brazil’s brilliant roster of attacking talent capitalized on mistakes with frightening efficiency.
Adjective
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The full extent of the casualties and damage may not be clear for many hours, but reports and videos show extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure across the country as residents face a terrifying night in the streets.
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Then the assailant turns to face the camera; but inside a hoodie, the face is no face, just a terrifying horror movie mask.
Adjective
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But even when Thomson, a terrific baseball lifer, was gone, Bryce Harper was still there in Philly and so was Kyle Schwarber.
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Klepov, who turns 18 on Saturday, had a terrific first OHL season, with 37 goals and 60 assists in 67 games to win the league’s scoring title.
Adjective
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The 29-year-old began her comeback Saturday at the American Classic in Champlin, Minnesota, just days after announcing her shocking return to the sport.
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Cape Verde earned three draws in the group stage – the shocking Spain result, running with Uruguay in the second match and ending up in a scoreless draw with Saudi Arabia in Houston on Friday.
Adjective
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The Red Sox offense has been horrible this season, but Contreras has been everything the club could have hoped for.
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Your cab driver is taking you on a horrible route.
Cite this Entry
“Bloodcurdling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bloodcurdling. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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