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

After the grisly discovery last September, Rivas was quickly identified by friends and family as a missing teen from Lake Elsinore, a city about 75 miles southeast of Los Angeles. —Nancy Dillon, VIBE.com, 17 Apr. 2026

After the grisly discovery last September, Rivas was quickly identified by friends and family as a missing teen from Lake Elsinore, a city about 75 miles southeast of Los Angeles. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2026

Now that Love Story has had its grisly finale, surely the discourse surrounding the show is also nearing its end. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2026

Where the original film centered around a scientist-interlocuter (actually an actor, Michael Carr) guiding viewers through a tour of the grisly footage, the new film has a proper plot. —Mark Olsen, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2026

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