Synonyms of gruesome

gruesome

adjective

ˈgrü-səm 

variants also grewsome

as in horrific

extremely disturbing or repellent

didn't stick around to hear the gruesome details of the car accident

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Recent Examples of gruesome

The gruesome find occurred during a search for Brian Tarrence, a 51-year-old New Yorker who disappeared late last month while on vacation with his wife. —David Matthews, New York Daily News, 7 July 2025

What happened in just a few gruesome hours at a rental home in Knoxville in January 2007 launched the city into a media frenzy, ignited furor from white supremacists and led to a 12-year courtroom drama that included a judge stepping down amid official misconduct charges for popping pills. —Kirsten Fiscus, The Tennessean, 6 July 2025

Director James Watkins will helm the movie centered around the gruesome Gotham City villain. —Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 6 July 2025

Howard Ehrman has seen his fair share of gruesome sights in his 56 years as a physician. —Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025