bloody 1 of 2

bloody

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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 a photo shared on GoFundMe, Oltmanns showed that his face and clothes had been bloodied in the incident. Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025 Pritchard showed toughness by playing through a hard collision with big man Isaiah Stewart and a cut to the face from Thompson that left him bloodied, but a brief flurry of threes from him, White and Horford came too late to make a difference. Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 27 Feb. 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
  • Just north of Magic Mountain’s roller coasters, hidden within the vast, anonymous industrial parks of Valencia, lies the secret lab where the murderous doll M3GAN was born.
    Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025
  • Newcastle United’s Italian midfielder is scorching forward at a murderous pace, his intent so malicious that Lavia hesitates — and that hesitation is enough.
    George Caulkin, New York Times, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 16 May 2025
  • All of the 37 public hospitals in Khartoum have been severely damaged and looted, Saad said.
    Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • Then there’s carmine, which makes some consumers queasy because the reddish pigment comes from cochineal insects.
    Tribune News Service, Twin Cities, 19 May 2025
  • In an apse, near the site of the sarcophagus, is a sparkling mosaic of Jesus in reddish and gold robes sitting atop the orb of the world.
    Elizabeth Dias, New York Times, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • The Mavericks had a season marred by injuries and executed a trade that not only shocked the NBA but also enraged fans.
    Jason Jones, New York Times, 13 May 2025
  • Finding an innovative, sustainable path to parity—without triggering the kind of prolonged labor disputes that have marred the sport’s past—will do far more for the game than any piece of equipment ever could.
    John Cairney, Sportico.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Final Destination: Bloodlines After a 14-year hiatus, Final Destination is back — and gorier than ever.
    Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 16 May 2025
  • The 1973 version of Crazies is a just-okay movie from legendary director George A. Romero, but the 2010 take is a perfectly gory white-knuckler that’s got Olyphant’s likability as an X-factor that raises its game.
    Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2024
Adjective
  • Lori survives the brutal events of prom night, but not without a fight.
    Jane LaCroix, People.com, 24 May 2025
  • Amid the brutal cuts across the federal government under the Trump administration, perhaps one of the most gutting is the loss of experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who respond to lead poisoning in children.
    John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • Two people were injured and a dozen apartments left uninhabitable following an early morning fire Wednesday at a three-story apartment building, the second residential fire in Elgin in less than a week.
    Courier-News, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
  • According to the Associated Press, no one was injured during the incident, citing court documents.
    Becca Longmire, People.com, 14 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bloody.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bloody. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

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