bloody 1 of 2

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
They were seen in videos pleading for help, their faces and clothing bloodied. Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2025 His predatory lifestyle leaves him perpetually bloodied and battered. Joan MacDonald, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024 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
  • Joe has to finally face up to his murderous past, and battle for survival as his crimes finally close in.
    Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2025
  • The rest is a whole lot of creepiness of some seemingly murderous children, some bloodshed, and more.
    Brian Welk, IndieWire, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Their son and daughter-in-law, Cameron Bott, 35, and his wife, Diana, 36, whose nearby home was damaged in the tornado, initiated a discussion about starting a GoFundMe to offset potential insurance shortfalls in rebuilding the gas station.
    Tammy Ljungblad, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Thousands of homes were damaged or destroyed, including entire apartment complexes and trailer parks that were swept away by flash floods.
    Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Nicknamed the Worm Moon, the lunation is also known as a Blood Moon because of its reddish hue that glows as a result of its alignment between the Earth and the sun.
    Skyler Caruso, People.com, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Two of nature’s most dazzling phenomena overlapped during a narrow window on March 13, 2025, when totality — the period when the lunar surface turns a reddish color — lasted just 65 minutes.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The transition has been marred by ongoing disagreements, political tensions, infighting and what security experts describe as a lack of a cohesive strategy for fighting the gangs.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2025
  • What Happened On March 8? The SAT, a cornerstone of college admissions, was marred by technical and administrative issues on test day.
    Scott White, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Goosed by a couple gratuitous interludes of gory amateur surgery, the movie is eventful, with a high body count.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The last episode of Season 3 is already being hailed as one of the goriest episodes in the history of the show.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway fared better than the S & P 500 in a brutal week as investors embraced the safety of a cash-rich conglomerate while President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariffs wreaked havoc on Wall Street.
    Yun Li, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025
  • With six games remaining in the regular season — and five of them coming in a brutal seven-day span — the Knicks are suddenly getting healthy at a time when workload management becomes a daily dilemma.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • At least 31 people were killed, 27 others were injured and some 70 homes were burned before security forces arrived and repelled the gangs, killing at least 23 gunmen, the mission said.
    DÁNICA COTO THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Two officers were also taken to the hospital but were not injured, sources said.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bloody.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bloody. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

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