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

The more time passes, the more gruesome the recovery process becomes, said William Gomez, a firefighter in La Guaira. — Fernanda Pesce, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Family and loved ones are remembering Brittany Clark, the former Sacramento resident and Kennedy High School student killed by an alligator in a Florida river, as officials there released new details of the gruesome attack. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 6 July 2026

Houston’s three outfielders totaled one hit in 10 at-bats, continuing the group’s gruesome offensive season. — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 4 July 2026

But as the days dragged on, headlines about power outages and water shortages took a back seat to a far more gruesome and horrific reality. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 1 July 2026