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

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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

Against the backdrop of a gruesome day, the Hebrew-language movie unfolds individual emotions and lives both before and during the attack, everyday problems of course not stopping with the tragedy, just interacting with it.

— Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
For centuries, this scene has been believed to show Harold’s gruesome end.

— Alicja Zelazko, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of gruesome

Adjective

My heart goes out to her family, friends, and everyone who is affected by this horrific incident.

— Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026
In late August, a horrific but fortunately injury-free blaze at the Folsom Flea Market wreaked havoc on a number of small local businesses operating out of the space.

— Aaron Davis, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of horrific

Adjective

The Rangers announced the devastating news on Saturday following a scary injury in which the 30-year-old’s right skate jammed into the post while gliding across his crease in the first period.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
Watching her film in the water was one of the scariest moments as a mom, because the tank was pitch black.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of scary

Adjective

Doyle has played all kinds of frightening characters in his five years at Markoff's.

— Ayesha Rascoe, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026
The trailer for the movie, which includes a particularly frightening jump scare from Chastain as Other Mommy, went viral online after playing in front of theatrical screenings.

— Jordan Moreau, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of frightening

Adjective

The movie looks terrific, with DP Jeff Cronenweth returning to provide visual consistency with The Social Network and Alexandre Desplat’s elegant score feeding the tension without working too hard at it.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
This puzzle is stuffed with nuance, pleasing crosses and a lot of simply terrific, ridiculously evocative stuff — for example, a jarring assortment of lovely trivia intersecting with some hideous ailments at more than one juncture.

— Caitlin Lovinger, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of terrific

Adjective

Despite the identically horrible records, these teams are in different places.

— Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 9 Oct. 2026
In all, the Dodgers drowned out that horrible tomahawk chop with some mighty hacks of their own, winning 3-1 while finally displaying some of the desperation that had been missing.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of horrible

Browse Nearby Words

blood brothers

bloodcurdling

blooded

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Style

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

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Synonyms of bloodcurdling

adjective

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