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variants also grewsome
Definition of gruesomenext

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

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 One of Tepe’s friends soon went to the couple’s house and found a gruesome scene next to a bed, according to emergency dispatch audio. Holly Yan, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026 Till-Mobley died in 2003, at age 81, having spent much of her life as an advocate for racial justice following the gruesome lynching of her 14-year-old son in 1955. Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026 Then, the franchise must determine the same with wide receiver Tyreek Hill, once a star for the team who had his 2025 season cut short due to a gruesome knee injury. David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026 In it, the world of high fashion turns dark when international supermodels begin dying in gruesome and mysterious ways. Denise Petski, Deadline, 5 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gruesome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gruesome
Adjective
  • Wednesday afternoon, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the shooting horrific.
    Ali Bauman, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
  • From a horrific account of an asteroid hitting Earth to an evil AI computer capable of designing deadly activities, readers will face the dark and mysterious corners of the human experience.
    Jessica Tzikas, Sun Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The shocking decision sends ripples through the Washington program and the college football transfer portal.
    The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
  • There are some great twists and turns leading to a shocking but very satisfying ending.
    Will Harris, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Are there horrible smells wafting around?
    Clio Chang, Curbed, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Jimmy Kimmel was horrible, and some of these people.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • That alone would be nightmare enough, but this debate has been constructed and is moderated by Sam Reich.
    Nic Juarez, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Over the weekend, we were reminded of an even more horrifying football ritual following the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
    AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 5 Jan. 2026
  • But this super drug has horrifying consequences.
    Denise Petski, Deadline, 5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The groundbreaking research penetrated the last moments of the young nobleman, who suffered a terrible 26 blows.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 10 Nov. 2025
  • History is full of cases where great bands make terrible records, yet history stands speechless at what the Clash accomplished here.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Experts immediately pointed out that Hassett had used a misleading method known as a cubic fit to make the mortality data appear less frightening.
    Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
  • When the sun went down, the Santa Anas began to blow, and the fire shifted into the familiar, frightening rhythm of inevitability.
    Jonathan Taplin, Rolling Stone, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Special mention must be made of the in-room minibars, which are terrific, and so extensive that they are contained not within a single small fridge but an entire chest of drawers.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Lenert made a terrific save on a solid strike by JSerra midfielder Carter Biondolillo, with Lenert diving to his left to make the crucial stop in the second half.
    Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gruesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gruesome. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on gruesome

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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