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
Then there’s the sweetness underneath all the temporal shenanigans and graphically bloody shootouts. Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 15 Mar. 2026 Razor blades and pointe shoes prove pretty lethal in Vicky Jewson’s bloody and blistered ballet thriller, which finds a dysfunctional ballerina troupe fighting for survival after a run-in with a deadly Hungarian mob. Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2026
Verb
Nearby, investigators impounded a shot-up, bloodied Nissan Altima. Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for bloody
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bloody
Adjective
  • Measles symptoms, including fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, may appear through April 8.
    Katie Langford, Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Even his suit is red, setting him visually apart from the sci-fi norm.
    Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The spirit of the endeavor can forgive a lot, with some clumsy filmmaking that doesn’t seem to be an intentional homage, such as a slapdash set-up to Helen’s murderous ways and a slightly tacked-on feeling opening involving a film critic who has been a thorn in Jack’s side.
    Stephen Saito, Variety, 15 Mar. 2026
  • After a first murderous high, Green spends the rest of the film chasing that euphoria through a recognizable 20th century America braced for inevitable collapse.
    Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, issued an Enhanced to Moderate Risk of Severe Weather on Monday, which includes dangerous thunderstorms, damaging winds, and the possibility of a few strong tornadoes.
    Adam Thompson, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Frost and freeze conditions will damage unprotected vegetation that is sensitive to freezing temperatures.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • His reddish cheeks had the scent of aftershave.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Both types are wingless, black-brown to reddish-brown, and about 1/8 inch long.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • However, an earnestness mars most of the proceedings.
    Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Jimmy Carter Carter's presidency was marred by domestic and foreign-policy challenges.
    Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • But the fear that Bacon has gathered everyone for something indulgent is quickly disabused in the silly and gory comedy where the fun all are having on screen extends to those who aren’t directly related.
    Stephen Saito, Variety, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Matrimony is murder in director Jorma Taccone‘s gory marital dark comedy Over Your Dead Body, which made its world premiere Saturday at SXSW.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Auer, as Betty, offers a fleet, brutal portrait of a mother moving through grief, weepily passing from denial to acceptance.
    Holden Seidlitz, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
  • That’s more than a third of the opening games breaking in favor of the lower-seeded team — a brutal stretch for anyone trying to build a flawless bracket.
    Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • As the current supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has stayed out of the spotlight amid speculation he was injured by a strike, Larijani was largely seen as in command of the country since the former ayatollah’s death.
    Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Separately, Tehran also fired a projectile near an Australian airbase in the United Arab Emirates, according to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese — no personnel were injured.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 18 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bloody.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bloody. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.

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