Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective sanguinary contrast with its synonyms?

The words bloody and gory are common synonyms of sanguinary. While all three words mean "affected by or involving the shedding of blood," sanguinary applies especially to something attended by, or someone inclined to, bloodshed.

the Civil War was America's most sanguinary conflict

When is bloody a more appropriate choice than sanguinary?

The synonyms bloody and sanguinary are sometimes interchangeable, but bloody is applied especially to things that are actually covered with blood or are made up of blood.

bloody hands

When is it sensible to use gory instead of sanguinary?

The words gory and sanguinary can be used in similar contexts, but gory suggests a profusion of blood and slaughter.

exceptionally gory, even for a horror movie

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 sanguinary Mass shootings scarcely register anymore, unless the death toll reaches a certain sanguinary level. Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2024 Michael Modafferi Lawmakers and order Yonkers: How many more innocents will be murdered, mugged and mauled by sanguinary, recidivist thugs and mentally ill individuals, none of whom belong unfettered on the streets of New York City and state, before the left-wing Democrats restore law and order? Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2024 An appeal to force was an admission of failure, and the pride of the new nation was the sense of overcoming the sanguinary reflexes of the old world. TIME, 31 Jan. 2024 That battle would send Bonaparte on a dizzying journey up — and down and up and down — the greasy pole of French politics and military promotions, and it’s staged by Scott with sanguinary detail: Blood will spurt, spray and splatter throughout the battles that made him and undid him. Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023 See All Example Sentences for sanguinary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanguinary
Adjective
  • Set two years after the little robot lady went on a murderous rampage and was subsequently destroyed, M3GAN’s creator Gemma (Williams) has become a high-profile author and advocate for government oversight of AI.
    Denise Petski, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Still, this 55-room ski-in, ski-out resort’s dramatic Alpine scenery would add a new edge with wintry spots for murderous mischief.
    Spencer Whaley, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • While Mehta treated Hampton’s bloody nose and the physio assessed Greenwood, Bronze grabbed the physio tape and strapped her own leg.
    Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Most allow some violent content but place restrictions on especially gory and bloody videos and restrict such content from younger users.
    Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This thrilling prequel stars Anya Taylor-Joy as Furiosa and Alyla Browne as young Furiosa, who is abducted by the savage warlord Dementus (Chris Hemsworth) — leader of the Biker Horde — and spends the next decade in captivity plotting her revenge and escape.
    Charlotte Walsh, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
  • There was a time when loving someone of the wrong gender could result in harassment, arrest or a savage beating.
    Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Take the quiz here … KICKED TO THE CURB – Super Bowl hero cut from 49ers roster after brutal Week 1 performance.
    , FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • While released, Horton committed another horrific crime – a brutal home invasion and rape.
    Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • That act lowered the age at which children who are accused of certain violent crimes can be tried as adults from 16 to 14.
    Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Just this morning, DHS took violent offenders off the streets with arrests for assault, DUI, and felony stalking.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sanguinary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanguinary. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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