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

But instead of going full steam ahead with expanding on a nascent horror franchise, the brothers are returning instead with another new, original horror film — one that promises to be weirder, gorier, scarier, and sadder than their debut. —Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 31 Mar. 2025

What starts off as a fantastical find quickly turns into a gory horror movie as the unicorn’s parents come knocking. —Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 29 Mar. 2025

This accidental murder is hilarious, gory, and victorious all at once. —Erin Qualey, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2025

The last episode of Season 3 is already being hailed as one of the goriest episodes in the history of the show. —Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025