1
as in red
smeared or stained with blood
after the fight, her shirt was all bloody
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in murderous
eager for or marked by the shedding of blood, extreme violence, or killing
a bloody battle a bloody movie that is unsuitable for children
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to damage
to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of
the politician's reputation was permanently bloodied by the rumors of corruption
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bloody
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
Brett Samuels, The Hill, 13 July 2025
In one shot, as the VIPs recap this development, the remaining players’ bloodied faces surround the newborn in the center of a grid, Brady Bunch–style.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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
Sunday marks one year since Trump was bloodied in an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pa.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 13 July 2025
In one shot, as the VIPs recap this development, the remaining players’ bloodied faces surround the newborn in the center of a grid, Brady Bunch–style.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bloody
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bloody
Adjective
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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
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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
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Temuera Morrison plays a terrific villain as the murderous King Kahekili (if only Boba Fett could have been so diabolical in his own show).—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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But both Dexter and Dexter viewers get quite the shock at the end of the episode when the Gemini Killer casually meets back up with Dexter and their fellow murderous peers, as if nothing happened at all.—
Josh Wigler,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Only one public building was damaged in Lincoln, according to Chief of Staff Rhonda Hulse.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Aug. 2025
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Extreme heat in 2023 had damaged the quality of rice, causing an acute shortage last year that was exacerbated by the government’s misreading of supply and demand.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Antares’ reddish hue is also reflected in its name.—
Mike Lynch,
Twin Cities,
27 July 2025
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Visual symptoms include the presence of discolored skin – which will appear a reddish brown and tends to be located near the ankles – flaking skin on the legs and feet, and leathery-looking skin.—
Rosie McCall,
Discover Magazine,
21 July 2025
Verb
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Both votes were marred by what prosecutors said was a massive vote-buying scheme orchestrated by Shor, who has spent much of his time in Russia since he was convicted for his role in the 2014 theft of $1 billion from Moldovan banks.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
5 Aug. 2025
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Economically and socially liberal, though marred by colonial exploitation, Dutch society flourished.—
Michael James Rocha,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The ensuing action is gory and frightening — and even Wong got a little spooked by Hawkins.—
Eric Andersson,
People.com,
31 May 2025
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Watch out for the brutal violence peppered throughout this journey across three eras, though, as this may be the series' goriest entry yet.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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A day after a brutal collision with the railing near the camera well — and a camera — Freddy Fermin is back behind the plate and batting ninth in a lineup identical to Friday’s.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Aug. 2025
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The course is a brutal, out-and-back journey of 100 miles through Colorado’s rugged high country, demanding over 15,000 feet of climbing.—
Jenn Nelson,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
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For example, June saw one of the highest monthly civilian casualties in three years, with 232 people killed and 1,343 injured (totaling 1,575).—
Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
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Three officers were shot and injured while responding to domestic disturbance call at a residence in Utah, law enforcement said.—
Jessica Gorman,
ABC News,
18 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bloody.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bloody. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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