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
• horrible
• nightmare
• terrible
• horrifying
• frightening
• terrifying
• terrific
• macabre
• hideous
• dreadful
• awful
• scary
• nightmarish
• ghastly
• appalling
• horrid
• sickening
• lurid
• frightful
• monstrous
• horrendous
• atrocious
• disgusting
• alarming
• fearful
• dire
• ugly
• grotesque
• formidable
• obscene
• direful
• revolting
• loathsome
• offensive
• repulsive
• heinous
• unspeakable
• fearsome
• repugnant
• gut-wrenching
• abominable
• disagreeable
• deplorable
• forbidding
• bloodcurdling
• abhorrent
• odious
• intimidating
• obnoxious
• evil
• vile
• 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

That’s partly because its senseless violence, inspired by the Manson murders among other grisly homicides, feels all too plausible. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 Feb. 2026

By Friday evening, grisly footage captured in Tehran surfaced online. —Sarah Dean, CNN Money, 23 Jan. 2026

Her face was also bruised and cut, with a grisly slash running from each side of her mouth. —Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026

Two of the daughter’s classmates had discovered the grisly mayhem; at the time of writing, no suspect had been identified. —Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!