as in brutality
the desire to kill or to see people killed
warriors inflamed by bloodlust
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Recent Examples of bloodlust
Related Stories The film follows Alok Goyal, a journalist who transforms into a vampiric creature called Betal after encountering a mysterious woman, and must save humanity from the bloodlust of an ancient evil.
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Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 29 Oct. 2025
There is very obviously no excuse for the kinds of posts and commentary Tyler was known for early in his career, but the internet is fueled by bloodlust, not justice.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2025
The media entertains these questions, in an effort to intellectualize the ideologies underpinning the cult’s bloodlust.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 20 Oct. 2025
Using the pain of that loss to fuel her bloodlust and quest for vengeance, Atsu sets herself on a mission to kill the Yōtei Six, a troupe of formidable outlaws responsible for the crime.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bloodlust
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 29 Oct. 2025
There is very obviously no excuse for the kinds of posts and commentary Tyler was known for early in his career, but the internet is fueled by bloodlust, not justice.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2025
The media entertains these questions, in an effort to intellectualize the ideologies underpinning the cult’s bloodlust.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 20 Oct. 2025
Using the pain of that loss to fuel her bloodlust and quest for vengeance, Atsu sets herself on a mission to kill the Yōtei Six, a troupe of formidable outlaws responsible for the crime.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bloodlust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bloodlust
Noun
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Critics, meanwhile, brought up police brutality, citing the killing of George Floyd, the video of which spurred national outrage.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
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Outside the home are the brutalities and horrors of war and the aftermath of war and of life under the Taliban’s first regime; inside are the brutalities and horrors of domestic violence at the hands of Rasheed.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The guy was a sleaze, but there’s a pretty big gap between sleaziness and murderousness.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
12 Dec. 2025
Noun
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By now, the Syrian opposition, once led by nonviolent protesters, was dominated by Islamists, who were divided and feckless and could be easily lumped together with the telegenic savageries of the Islamic State, known as ISIS.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2026
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O’Connell is terrific, but both his character and his performance are badly served by the prolonged savagery of certain scenes.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
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One has simply grown so accustomed to his cruelty that, in an episode with so many other people acting on their worst impulses, Stephen stands out for momentarily acting on a good one.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
10 Feb. 2026
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Gray faces 29 charges, including two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of involuntary manslaughter, and multiple counts of second-degree cruelty to children.—
La'Tasha Givens,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The series begins before Gein has ever killed, in 1945, as dawning awareness of death camps in Europe fills the air with sadism and conspiracy thinking.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
30 Sep. 2025
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The invading parasite is a culture of hate and paranoia and sadism — mass hysteria as sanctioned by the government that is supposed to protect you.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Thousands of children have been terrorized, detained, and many have been deported because of ICE’s unchecked barbarity.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
26 Jan. 2026
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Cathy escapes, the Jimmies' numbers are diminished, and the stomach-churning barbarity finally comes to an end.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
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But again, Kristen, this is – this is cruelness.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
30 Nov. 2025
Noun
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His mother bequeathed to him her fierceness.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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Newsom’s allies attribute much of this to the governor’s fierceness in the redistricting efforts.—
Amie Parnes,
The Hill,
10 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bloodlust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bloodlust. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
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