Synonyms of gory

gory

adjective

ˈgȯr-ē 

as in bloody

smeared or stained with blood

doesn't watch too many movies that feature gory violence

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bloody
• red
• reddish
• bloodstained
• crimson
• ruby
• carmine
• sanguinary
• sanguineous
• bloodred
• sanguine
• incarnadine

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective gory contrast with its synonyms?

The words bloody and sanguinary are common synonyms of gory. While all three words mean "affected by or involving the shedding of blood," gory suggests a profusion of blood and slaughter.

exceptionally gory, even for a horror movie

Where would bloody be a reasonable alternative to gory?

Although the words bloody and gory have much in common, bloody is applied especially to things that are actually covered with blood or are made up of blood.

bloody hands

When might sanguinary be a better fit than gory?

In some situations, the words sanguinary and gory are roughly equivalent. However, sanguinary applies especially to something attended by, or someone inclined to, bloodshed.

the Civil War was America's most sanguinary conflict

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of gory

Both stupefyingly gory and rambunctiously funny, Verhoeven’s film plays as a calling card for his singular career. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Aug. 2026

Adeline Rudolph also plays an integral role as warrior princess Kitana in the flick full of crazy moves and extremely gory finishes. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 24 July 2026

The study of these gory stellar events so early in the history of the universe could help reveal how supermassive black holes grew so big, so rapidly. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 22 July 2026

Fatekeeper is gritty, gory and unapologetically violent in a fantasy environment. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026