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
One of the war's bloodiest battles The familiar sights of Brooklyn were nearly unrecognizable when the Battle of Brooklyn, one of the bloodiest battles of the war, was fought. Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026 But for all its twists and turns, Boston and her cast, writers, and directors never let up on the promise of the show’s title and the skin-crawling sensations the pilot’s opening scenes (of Rachel and Nicky’s wedding and its insane, bloody aftermath) giddily pile on. Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 28 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
  • The Democratic bill, aimed at overturning new voting laws in red states, would have created a single national standard for administering elections, including expanding voting by mail.
    David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 26 Mar. 2026
  • In the center is a large, red stop button, and beneath it on the underside of the crossbar is a magnetic safety key that can be clipped to your clothing.
    Craig Rawlins-Wilson, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • An account of life in Berlin from 1939 to 1945 under a murderous regime.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
  • In the new sequel, Grace teams with her estranged younger sister, Faith (Kathryn Newton), as they’re hunted by four elite families full of murderous jerks scrambling to become the High Seat of a Council that controls the world.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • In a social media post on Monday morning, Kuwait said a service building at a power generation and water desalination plant were damaged in an attack Sunday evening, killing one worker.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
  • At least 12 residents have been displaced after a three-alarm fire heavily damaged five homes in Pittsburgh's Bloomfield neighborhood, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety.
    Garrett Behanna, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Bed bugs are small reddish-brown insects that feed on the blood of sleeping humans and animals.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2026
  • This warm, reddish-brown MAC Eye Kohl Eyeliner Pencil instantly brightens and enhances the eyes, especially for those with green or hazel tones.
    Sarah Felbin, Allure, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Mexico's government has said that the official registry of disappeared is an overcount, often marred by faulty data from local prosecutor's offices and cases of people being reported missing two or three times.
    ABC News, ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • But his first year in Philly was marred by knee and adductor injuries that resulted in the forward having one of the worst years of his NBA career.
    CBS News, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Both parts display Harlin’s usual skill for escalating tension, his penchant for mixing gory terror with dark humor, and a visual precision that keeps the audience carefully acclimated to the spaces in which the various action sequences are set.
    Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 26 Mar. 2026
  • The idea came out of both nostalgia and the fact that Blood Pact’s first game, the exceptionally gory Bonesaw, did not sell especially well.
    Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Still, the timeline for elimination came as news to guard Josh Giddey in the locker room after Wednesday’s brutal 157-137 blowout loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Iran’s brutal regime retains a solid grip in Tehran, in Iraq through proxies, and in Lebanese society through Hezbollah.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • That night, Kane was injured, and Carsley tried to pick the boldest, most talented team possible, with Jude Bellingham nominally up front, and Foden, Palmer, Gordon and Bukayo Saka in, too.
    Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026
  • The conditions for the three people injured in the shooting wasn't immediately available.
    Siafa Lewis, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bloody.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bloody. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

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