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

At a parole hearing last year, prosecutors repeatedly reference the gruesome nature of the shootings and the brothers’ spending spree as factors against their release. — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

In that section, gruesome murders have spooked what few locals there are, and the boy, Caleb (Atticus Affleck), has a shifty, older-than-his years air about him that makes farmer Emmett (Scoot McNairy) quite unsettled. — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026

Orem, Utah — Hunter Kozak saw Charlie Kirk’s gruesome public assassination just a few feet away from him on his college campus. — Elle Reeve, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026

This gruesome end stands in sharp contrast to the privileged childhoods depicted in the portraits. — Barbara Spindel, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Sep. 2026