variants also grewsome

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of gruesome Congress remains recalcitrant to gun reform even after the gruesome scenes at Parkland, Uvalde, and Sandy Hook. John J. Donohue, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025 Ditto for the suspect in Zarutska’s gruesome knifing death on a Charlotte, North Carolina, commuter train. Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025 The gruesome attack was apparently prompted by the boss not being able to speak Spanish, records show. Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Sep. 2025 Video of the gruesome Charlotte light rail stabbing last month can also be found on social media sites. Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gruesome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gruesome
Adjective
  • Right-wing politicians have long used horrific crime stories – particularly those featuring Black suspects and White victims – to make broader criticisms of Democrats as soft on crime.
    Wesley Bruer, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The surveillance footage of the horrific attack was released by the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) over the weekend, FOX News reported.
    Christine Pelisek, People.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Can a horrible 17-year-old turn into a 31-year-old person with integrity and empathy?
    R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Can a 17-year-old horrible person turn into a 31-year-old person with integrity and empathy?
    R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The premiere also came with the shocking announcement of a double elimination next week.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
  • The speed at which Kirk’s death became content was almost as shocking as the assassination itself.
    Marly Berlin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Yes, there are so much terrible stuff online.
    ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2025
  • But that obviously terrible call compromised the integrity of that game last night, and that's something the sport should be looking to avoid.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • But one other thing Reclaim does is show just how awful the Portal system is.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • How the Dolphins grow from such an awful performance will be paramount.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The frightening illness took place just two weeks after he was named MVP of his little league baseball team.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
  • As the frightening futures foretold grow nearer, the details are also growing more precise.
    Zack Savitsky, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gruesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gruesome. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on gruesome

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!