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bloody

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective bloody contrast with its synonyms?

The words gory and sanguinary are common synonyms of bloody. While all three words mean "affected by or involving the shedding of blood," bloody is applied especially to things that are actually covered with blood or are made up of blood.

bloody hands

Where would gory be a reasonable alternative to bloody?

In some situations, the words gory and bloody are roughly equivalent. However, gory suggests a profusion of blood and slaughter.

exceptionally gory, even for a horror movie

When could sanguinary be used to replace bloody?

The meanings of sanguinary and bloody largely overlap; however, sanguinary applies especially to something attended by, or someone inclined to, bloodshed.

the Civil War was America's most sanguinary conflict

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 bloody
Adjective
For example, at Chester’s Roman Amphitheatre, centurion Marcus Aurelius Nepos tells about England’s bloody combat history at the spot. Jennifer Billock, Smithsonian, 30 June 2017 Collapsing the roof isn’t a spur-of-the-moment thing, either—our experience involved about three minutes, two swearing fits, and at least one bloody knuckle. Mike Duff, Car and Driver, 30 June 2017
Verb
Shot in slow motion from overhead, the sequence features a bandaged and bloodied Korda eating, reading, and smoking in his bath as assorted nurses and household staff flit around him as if in a ballet. EW.com, 6 June 2025 Iran quickly retaliated, setting off six days of exchanges that has left Iran and Israel bloodied. Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for bloody
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bloody
Adjective
  • In between walking red carpets and attending charity events together, the pair welcomed two children, daughters Evangeline Ruth and Elijah.
    Ellie Beeck, Peoplemag, 6 Feb. 2023
  • Unusually, its tan Connolly leather interior is contrasted with red carpets.
    Joe Lorio, Car and Driver, 5 Feb. 2023
Adjective
  • Now single, Julie is living a happily quiet life after narrowly surviving two rounds of attacks by murderous fisherman, Ben Willis (Muse Watson), in the late ‘90s.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2025
  • The show about a murderous barber and his baker friends who turn his victims into meat pies is being done by the Legacy Theatre in Branford Aug. 7-24, by the Little Theater of Manchester Nov. 7-23 and in June 2026 through a first-time collaboration between Hartford Stage and TheaterWorks Hartford.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • Anything that damages the trust between the vendor, Microsoft, and the user is as much a threat as the hackers themselves, in my never humble opinion.
    Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • The beaver pond upstream of Lake Angeline drained early Thursday, July 17, causing reddish sediment to empty into the water, according to a news release from the DNR.
    Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 23 July 2025
  • So, too, the contrast between Aldebaran’s reddish glow and the white brilliance of Venus.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
Verb
  • Sure, the game was marred by former commissioner Bud Selig declaring the 2002 edition a tie.
    Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Chelsea's 3-0 FIFA Club World Cup victory over Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday, with President Donald Trump in attendance, was marred by a postgame brawl.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • The ensuing action is gory and frightening — and even Wong got a little spooked by Hawkins.
    Eric Andersson, People.com, 31 May 2025
  • Watch out for the brutal violence peppered throughout this journey across three eras, though, as this may be the series' goriest entry yet.
    Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • This created a growing population of vulnerable, undocumented workers in the 1960s and ’70s who increasingly faced brutal apprehensions.
    Jimmy Patino, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 July 2025
  • According to an arrest affidavit obtained by USA Today, the 21-year-old approached a woman from behind at a self-checkout lane at a Walmart in Tennessee, and launched into a brutal attack.
    Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • Shooting comes 3 years after another incident The July 25 shooting comes less than three years after another fatal attack at a University of New Mexico housing building left one student dead and three campus visitors injured.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 25 July 2025
  • Newcastle insist Isak is injured and that a long-haul flight would not aid his recovery, but the rumour mill will only go into overdrive.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 24 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bloody.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bloody. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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