as in murderous
eager for or marked by the shedding of blood, extreme violence, or killing
in the sanguineous culture of ancient Sparta, military glory was prized above all else
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Recent Examples of sanguineous
The viral TikTok dance sensation inspired by Wednesday star Jenny Ortega’s quirky moves that is set to the sanguineous 2011 Lady Gaga song has blown up so big that even Mother Monster couldn’t resist throwing her black veil into the ring.
—
Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 9 Dec. 2022
Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 9 Dec. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanguineous
Adjective
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After a competitive bidding situation that unfolded over the past few months, A24 has landed rights to the next take on the horror franchise that dates back to 1974’s Texas Chain Saw Massacre, which introduced the world to Leatherface and his murderous family.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Feb. 2026
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His autopsy revealed extensive damage to the white matter of his brain thought to be related to a traumatic brain injury, which some neurologists proposed may have played a role in his murderous actions.—
Christopher M. Filley,
The Conversation,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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As the internet blackout in Iran appears to be easing after weeks of protests across the country, the scale of the Islamic Republic regime’s bloodiest crackdown in decades is now being made public, according to activist groups.—
Somayeh Malekian,
ABC News,
27 Jan. 2026
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One of the bloodiest moments in that revolution, which deposed the last Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, and led to the rise of the incumbent Islamist regime, occurred on September 8, 1978.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Today Iranians are mourning thousands of their fellow citizens who were massacred during savage crackdowns on recent protests in Iran.—
Ramin Jahanbegloo,
Time,
3 Feb. 2026
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Sons of Anarchy was praised for its stellar writing, operatic plotting, and cast of actors who breathed vivid life into their characters, giving even the most savage moments a dose of humanity.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In a series of sanguinary close-ups, Elvira takes a cleaver to her digits, first slicing them and then fully dismembering them.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
23 Dec. 2025
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The film, documenting the intense, sanguinary attempt by Ukrainian soldiers to retake a village seized by Russian invaders, won Chernov the directing award for World Cinema Documentary at Sundance.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
7 July 2025
Adjective
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Erfan Soltani, 26, was arrested last month as demonstrations roiled the country, sparking a violent crackdown by authorities.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
2 Feb. 2026
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Unprecedented spending has also done little to address the country’s worst in the nation homeless problem, an infrastructure that is graded lower than the national average, and a violent crime rate that is 35% higher than the national average.—
Wayne Winegarden,
Oc Register,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The press was ferocious and organised, with the number of box entries and chances created being higher than any league performance this season.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
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What Lee did not anticipate was the iron resolve, the ferocious tenacity, of the Union defenders.—
Jamelle Bouie,
Mercury News,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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With the benefit of hindsight, analysts and investors have blamed much of Kraft Heinz’s downward spiral on the brutal cost-cutting strategy imposed after the merger.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
31 Jan. 2026
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Unrelenting cold in storm’s aftermath Last weekend’s historic winter storm and the brutal cold that followed have been blamed for at least 85 deaths in the US, the Associated Press reported.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sanguineous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanguineous. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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