Synonyms of gruesome

gruesome

adjective

ˈgrü-səm 

variants also grewsome

as in horrific

extremely disturbing or repellent

didn't stick around to hear the gruesome details of the car accident

Synonyms & Similar Words

• horrific
• horrible
• shocking
• terrible
• awful
• frightening
• grisly
• scary
• horrifying
• macabre
• hideous
• dreadful
• sickening
• terrifying
• disgusting
• nightmarish
• nightmare
• dire
• appalling
• ghastly
• horrid
• terrific
• ugly
• direful
• frightful
• monstrous
• lurid
• horrendous
• atrocious
• alarming
• formidable
• revolting
• offensive
• repulsive
• loathsome
• obscene
• fearful
• heinous
• vile
• repugnant
• unspeakable
• grotesque
• fearsome
• gut-wrenching
• abhorrent
• deplorable
• obnoxious
• abominable
• disagreeable
• evil
• odious
• bloodcurdling
• distasteful
• forbidding
• hair-raising
• heart-stopping
• nauseating
• redoubtable
• intimidating
• noxious
• noisome
• unsightly
• foul

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pleasant
• attractive
• delightful
• delicious
• enjoyable
• appealing
• satisfying
• pleasurable
• welcome
• agreeable
• enticing
• delectable
• pleasing
• inviting
• comforting
• soothing
• cheering

Synonym Chooser

How is the word gruesome different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of gruesome are ghastly, grisly, lurid, and macabre. While all these words mean "horrifying and repellent in appearance or aspect," grisly and gruesome suggest additionally the results of extreme violence or cruelty.

an unusually grisly murder

suffered a gruesome death

Where would ghastly be a reasonable alternative to gruesome?

The words ghastly and gruesome can be used in similar contexts, but ghastly suggests the terrifying aspects of corpses and ghosts.

a ghastly accident

How do lurid and gruesome relate to one another?

Lurid adds to gruesome the suggestion of shuddering fascination with violent death and especially with murder.

the lurid details of a crime

When can macabre be used instead of gruesome?

While the synonyms macabre and gruesome are close in meaning, macabre implies a morbid preoccupation with the physical aspects of death.

a macabre tale of premature burial

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of gruesome

The investigation into the bitcoin torture case in New York City has revealed gruesome details about the alleged kidnapping and beating of an Italian man for his fortune in the cryptocurrency. —Alex Sundby, CBS News, 30 May 2025

But the twins haven’t lost any of their stylistic brio, upping the ante on gruesome imagery in this much bleaker film. —Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 30 May 2025

Then, on November 25, 1987, the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office received a gruesome package in the mail. —Christine Pelisek, People.com, 27 May 2025

The gruesome recovery comes in the wake of a gruesome February incident, when a body was found inside a suitcase floating in the East River. —Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 27 May 2025