Synonyms of grisliness

grisliness 1 of 2

noun

as in horror

the quality of inspiring intense dread or dismay

the grisliness of the crime scene was too much for the jury

Synonyms & Similar Words

• horror
• dreadfulness
• atrocity
• gruesomeness
• ghastliness
• frightfulness
• awfulness
• repulsiveness
• fearfulness
• horridness
• hideousness
• agony
• badness
• atrociousness
• sinfulness
• torture
• evil
• vileness
• anguish
• heinousness
• viciousness
• misery
• monstrosity
• baseness
• invidiousness
• evilness
• wickedness
• immorality
• loathsomeness
• foulness
• ghoulishness
• depravity
• hatefulness
• ghostliness
• scariness
• eeriness
• creepiness
• iniquity
• ungodliness
• fearsomeness
• torment
• diabolicalness
• depravedness
• hellishness
• cursedness
• iniquitousness
• despicableness
• accursedness
• execrableness
• reprehensibleness
• detestableness
• deplorableness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pleasantness
• agreeableness
• appeal
• delightfulness
• attraction
• desirability
• attractiveness
• pleasurableness
• allurement
• desirableness

grisly

2 of 2

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 grisliness

Adjective

Jurors sat through nine days of grisly testimony and graphic autopsy photos as Assistant District Attorney Ian Vance-Curzan stitched together an eerie timeline of Robinson’s final hours. —Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 1 Aug. 2025

Now, more than 40 years after David's grisly murder, Crime Junkie podcast host Ashley Flowers has launched her own investigation into the mysterious death. —Kc Baker, People.com, 28 July 2025

Moscow police documents, revealed for the first time Wednesday, described a grisly crime scene in greater detail than previously shared with the public. —Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 26 July 2025

But despite the grisly case, Thompson admitted Kohberger's demeanor still struck him at the sentencing. —Liz Kreutz, NBC news, 25 July 2025