bloody 1 of 2

Definition of bloodynext

bloody

2 of 2

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

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
Formed in Pakistan, the Sunni Muslim militant group is predominant in the Kashmir region, which has been involved in an often-bloody territorial dispute since the partition of India and Pakistan as the British left the subcontinent in 1947 after 300 years of colonial rule. Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 6 Mar. 2026 And in January, Trump allowed Syrian forces to seize Kurdish territory won during the Syrian civil war and in bloody battles against the Islamic State group. ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
The steady stream of litigation has kept Paxton in the headlines in Texas, as Cornyn and his allies have spent heavily to try to bloody his image among Republican primary voters. Thomas Beaumont, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026 The steady stream of litigation has kept Paxton in the headlines as Cornyn and his allies have spent heavily to try to bloody his image among Republican primary voters. ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bloody
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bloody
Adjective
  • To overcome this challenge, the team combined red and blue laser beams and passed them through a specialized chamber called an anti-resonant hollow core fiber.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Metiers d’Art 2026 show, paired with a white t-shirt under a red v-neck sweater, blue jeans with a statement crystal buckle belt, red Oxford shoes, and Ray-Bans.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • After spending nearly a decade in the dark world of Gilead as star of The Handmaid’s Tale, Elisabeth Moss is onto some lighter — though still murderous — fare.
    Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 11 Mar. 2026
  • So why shouldn’t Trump exploit that fragility to land a death blow against a murderous adversary?
    Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Bahrain and Qatar have effectively halted production of oil and LNG, keeping output at a trickle to avoid complete shutdowns that could damage reservoirs and delay restarts.
    Amena Bakr, semafor.com, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Sunken reddish, dark brown, or purplish cankers form on the bark and ooze sap.
    Steve Bender, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Native to North America, eastern screech-owls are mostly gray, reddish-brown or brown with yellow eyes, according to the Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The Panthers’ season has been marred by injuries and players running on fumes in the aftermath of three consecutive runs to the Stanley Cup Final, including winning it all each of the past two years.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Hendrickson, whose final two seasons in Cincinnati were marred by contract questions, was said to be holding out for a deal that would pay him $30 million per year.
    Dianna Russini, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Cue awe-inspiring action sequences, gory battles and mental anguish that pushes Ritchson, er, 81, to his physical limits.
    Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 7 Mar. 2026
  • The horror film serves as a gory allegory for the evils that persisted in the South in the Jim Crow era in the late 19th century and onward.
    Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Salesforce is the latest SaaS (software-as-a-service) company to step up buybacks following the brutal sell-off to start the year.
    Jim Cramer, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2026
  • According to a new national survey conducted by NBC News, AI is viewed even more negatively than the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the militarized agency that has been embroiled in major controversy over its brutal deportation program, including the fatal shooting of unarmed civilians.
    Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The conflict has also claimed the lives of seven US soldiers and injured about 140 American troops.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 11 Mar. 2026
  • At least six people were killed and several others were injured after a passenger bus caught fire Tuesday in western Switzerland, authorities said.
    Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 11 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bloody.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bloody. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.

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