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

And in another gruesome moment, there is a frightening shot of dozens of wedding guests covered in blood, with bodies strewn across a banquet hall. —Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026

Nilson witnessed the gruesome death. —Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026

Curry has been recovering from a knee issue for weeks with no official return date yet, and Moody just recently suffered a gruesome season-ending torn left patellar tendon last week. —Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026

Because of his ability to appeal to jurors with at times folksy explanations of gruesome subjects like the dynamic of blood spatter, prosecution and defense lawyers competed for his testimony at trials. —Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026