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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 2018, while playing for the Washington Commanders, the veteran signal-caller suffered a gruesome leg injury which would turn his entire life upside down.
—
Ben Church, CNN Money, 14 May 2025
Several of Karen’s friends and family members attended Monday’s sentencing hearing to share their continued grief about the gruesome killing and show that she has not been forgotten, prosecutors said.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2025
For some, watching the film might seem like a gruesome voyeuristic act, even if the scene in question is not a part of the final cut.
—Jane Onyanga-Omara, USA Today, 3 May 2025
David Carpenter was sentenced to death in 1984 for the murders of more than half a dozen people along Northern California hiking trails between 1979 and 1981, a gruesome spree that earned him the nickname Trailside Killer.
—Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for gruesome
Ben Church, CNN Money, 14 May 2025
Several of Karen’s friends and family members attended Monday’s sentencing hearing to share their continued grief about the gruesome killing and show that she has not been forgotten, prosecutors said.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2025
For some, watching the film might seem like a gruesome voyeuristic act, even if the scene in question is not a part of the final cut.
—Jane Onyanga-Omara, USA Today, 3 May 2025
David Carpenter was sentenced to death in 1984 for the murders of more than half a dozen people along Northern California hiking trails between 1979 and 1981, a gruesome spree that earned him the nickname Trailside Killer.
—Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for gruesome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gruesome
Adjective
-
Abuse Of Power: Season 1 (May 19) Long-running ID series American Monster enters a new chapter with Abuse of Power, a long-form series that takes on cases where horrific crimes and scandals were covered up and disposed of by authority figures.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
16 May 2025
-
Sheriff’s officials released footage that showed the horrific attack.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
15 May 2025
Adjective
-
However, her tragic demise spooks and haunts Jen, since her death is incredibly horrible and sad, rocking the whole Capesode community.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
14 May 2025
-
Jurors viewed for a fifth time in two days the video footage of the horrible beating that followed.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2025
Adjective
-
While many have praised the tenacity of the 28-year-old Georgia woman, others have expressed doubts about the veracity of her shocking survival story and have criticized her family’s fundraising motives.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2025
-
Read more: Lakers' Bronny James Among NBA's Elite in One Unique Category Following the shocking comeback victory, Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark could not contain her excitement.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
One night the fish was very overcooked and covered with a terrible sauce.—
Sheah Rarback,
Miami Herald,
22 May 2025
-
Djokovic knew he’d be seeded to play one of Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev or Taylor Fritz in the quarters, and in the end landed Zverev, which isn’t a terrible outcome, but would leave him with a possible Sinner-Alcaraz double bill in the semifinals and final to lift the trophy.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
The downsides are that DEET smells awful, is oily, and can damage anything with plastic in it, like synthetic clothing and camping gear.—
Kristin Canning,
Wired News,
21 May 2025
-
The name itself isn’t awful, but actions have consequences.—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 May 2025
-
Major cities like New York were already facing frightening death tolls that climbed higher each day—but that’s not what Eddington is about.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
17 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gruesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gruesome. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share