as in gruesome
causing great horror or fear
We heard bloodcurdling stories about the war. bloodcurdling screams
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Recent Examples of bloodcurdling
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
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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Dahl’s books are fanciful and imaginative, but also dark, cynical, and mean (and, unfortunately, often reflected his real-life ugliness), spinning stories in which gruesome and unpleasant fates befell rotten kids, and adults were frequently selfish, cruel, and not to be trusted.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2026
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The evidence at trial included a gruesome video showing Stanfier’s body in the trunk of a car, which had been shared with a woman Jordan-Brooks reportedly met while working at Kentucky Fried Chicken in Emeryville years earlier, court records show.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The horrific Los Angeles wildfires caused over $75 billion in insured losses and claimed the lives of 31 Californians.—
Scott Wiener,
Oc Register,
12 Apr. 2026
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The horrific discovery spurred a wider search on Long Island over the following year – nearly a dozen bodies were found in all – and raised fears of a serial killer on the loose.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Preparations Nighttime severe weather can be understandably scary.—
Ahmad Bajjey,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
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The two freshman goalies were terrific, with Hicks recovering from a scary collision with Malcom Spence early in the third.—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Adding a deadly shooter to spread the floor around Collier could make a dangerous 3-point shooting scheme even more frightening for Lynx opponents.—
Matthew Coller,
Twin Cities,
12 Apr. 2026
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Flynn can’t help but wonder if there is a frightening connection between the family’s disappearance and PDQ’s vengeance.—
Sandra Dallas,
Denver Post,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Some of his acts are dangerous or terrifying.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
-
In 1972, Ann-Margret fell 22 feet from a stage during a performance — a terrifying moment that could have ended her career.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Curtis Strange continues to be absolutely terrific working The Masters alongside the equally terrific Scott Van Pelt for ESPN.—
Mike Lupica,
New York Daily News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Munson is a terrific burst of fresh air, enlivening the coach car with humor built from relationship foibles.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Zendaya and Robert Pattinson star in Kristoffer Borgli’s rug-pull rom-com, which follows a soon-to-be-married couple whose relationship implodes after a shocking revelation.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2026
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The series abruptly concluded with Lois' shocking pregnancy news and Malcolm just starting his freshman year at Harvard.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In the case of this April 1, Atlanta just experienced a horrible and tragic Wednesday in traffic.—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
12 Apr. 2026
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Your cabdriver is taking you on a horrible route.—
Zach Schiffman,
Curbed,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bloodcurdling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bloodcurdling. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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