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 In September 2024, Israel blew up the group’s pagers, causing gruesome injuries as the devices detonated in Hezbollah operatives’ pockets. Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025 Overall, the 86 is a modern mecha anime classic and harks back to the likes of Armored Trooper VOTOMS, albeit with a darker and more gruesome twist. Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025 His anguished mother insisted on an open-casket ceremony to show the world the gruesome cruelty of lynching. Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 29 Aug. 2025 My dad was the superintendent of schools in that town at the time, and the media's appetite for the gruesome details was insatiable. Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 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
  • The horrible accident — later determined to be caused by pilot error — remains the deadliest plane crash in Charlotte history.
    Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
  • But then came a horrible deep-ball attempt intended for Stefon Diggs that Isaiah Pola-Mao intercepted.
    Steve Buckley, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The Chicago Bears suffered a shocking Week 1 loss, blowing a 17-6 fourth quarter lead at home against the division rival Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football.
    Noah Camras, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Iryna was killed while sitting peacefully, an innocent life taken in a shocking and brutal way.
    Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Overall, this wasn’t a terrible episode, but having our heroes start in the UK and then end up in Spain in the first episode felt rushed and wasteful.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Both men are good, both men are bad and both men have made terrible mistakes.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 7 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
  • Interestingly, Lorraine has taught Judy to ward off her frightening visions by using a nursery rhyme, effectively teaching her to suppress her dark side.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • That's really frightening because people can be really cruel and that's dangerous.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gruesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gruesome. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on gruesome

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