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

This prequel game is arriving roughly five years after Doom Eternal wowed Doom (2016) fans with its even more relentless and gorier take on demon-slaying action. —Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 3 Apr. 2025

Goosed by a couple gratuitous interludes of gory amateur surgery, the movie is eventful, with a high body count. —Dennis Harvey, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025

The gory mess of a limb that may never be usable again. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2025

Harry has Kiko take a look at the crate's contents, which are now revealed to us in all their gory glory. —Matt Cabral, EW.com, 6 Apr. 2025