Synonyms of grisly

grisly

adjective

ˈgriz-lē 

as in gruesome

extremely disturbing or repellent

the police report described the murder scene in grisly detail

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of grisly are ghastly, gruesome, 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

When is ghastly a more appropriate choice than grisly?

Although the words ghastly and grisly have much in common, ghastly suggests the terrifying aspects of corpses and ghosts.

a ghastly accident

How do lurid and gruesome relate to one another, in the sense of grisly?

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

the lurid details of a crime

When might macabre be a better fit than grisly?

While the synonyms macabre and grisly 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 grisly

Son Brendan was murdered with a chainsaw on Richie Stevenson’s orders while Seraphina screamed for mercy next to her half-brother; Richie had a livestream of the grisly event sent to Maeve’s phone. —Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 11 May 2025

Meanwhile, Charlie consults with Paige from set dec, who confirms that the team cleaned up the grisly mess at the house earlier that day. —Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 8 May 2025

The last three episodes of the series dramatically up the ante as the E.R. copes with hundreds of grisly victims of a mass shooter. —Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 8 May 2025

In theory the family are entitled to 5 million rubles – and bizarrely enough, Russian officials even give gifts of meat grinders to the mothers of troops killed in action as grisly recognition of their sacrifice -- but payment is often withheld. —David Hambling, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!