variants also grewsome

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 The gruesome find occurred during a search for Brian Tarrence, a 51-year-old New Yorker who disappeared late last month while on vacation with his wife. David Matthews, New York Daily News, 7 July 2025 What happened in just a few gruesome hours at a rental home in Knoxville in January 2007 launched the city into a media frenzy, ignited furor from white supremacists and led to a 12-year courtroom drama that included a judge stepping down amid official misconduct charges for popping pills. Kirsten Fiscus, The Tennessean, 6 July 2025 Director James Watkins will helm the movie centered around the gruesome Gotham City villain. Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 6 July 2025 Howard Ehrman has seen his fair share of gruesome sights in his 56 years as a physician. Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for gruesome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gruesome
Adjective
  • California homeowner’s insurance premiums were already rising before the horrific Southern California wildfires in January.
    Scott Cohn, CNBC, 11 July 2025
  • Family recounts parents' efforts to save children The family of the two children who died in the flooding recounted in a GoFundMe page the horrific moment floodwaters swept the young siblings away and the desperate attempt by their parents to save their lives.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • Because of Denise Gough's human frailty as a woman destroyed by her own ambition and Kyle Soller's cowardice in the face of a horrible truth.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 23 July 2025
  • Soak up the gall of losing, absorb the horrible information, feel it to the full, go there—and then rebound, with superb elasticity.
    James Parker, The Atlantic, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • Bonnie came to her father's defense in May 2020 after Chapman shared the shocking news of his engagement to girlfriend Francie just 10 months after Beth’s death.
    Skyler Caruso, People.com, 21 July 2025
  • This shocking breach transformed a beloved feed into a source of confusion and pain.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2025
Adjective
  • There will be four questions related to easing the city’s terrible housing shortage, all useful and needed, and one useless question about moving our local elections from odd years, like this present year, to presidential contest years.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 21 July 2025
  • But when terrible news arrives about her ex, all eyes turn to Ana — whose reputation isn't exactly sterling.
    Lizz Schumer, People.com, 21 July 2025
Adjective
  • Pictures of Piper the dog, who last year went through an awful health scare after having a rawhide treat.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
  • That’s a horrible way to feel, and an awful way for fans to treat her.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 16 July 2025
Adjective
  • Through it all, the Jurassic Park franchise continued to break new ground, surprising and captivating audiences with fresh, new and unexpected developments in each installment, made all the more vivid, realistic and frightening with the latest in CGI and believable acting.
    Jan Wagner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 July 2025
  • Perhaps most frightening of all is the fact that, in rural areas, such calamity occurs before any official help can arrive.
    Jessica Pishko, New Yorker, 15 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on gruesome

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