1
as in red
smeared or stained with blood
after the fight, her shirt was all bloody
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in murderous
eager for or marked by the shedding of blood, extreme violence, or killing
a bloody battle a bloody movie that is unsuitable for children
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to damage
to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of
the politician's reputation was permanently bloodied by the rumors of corruption
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
Will those same places later serve as ironic backdrops for bloody shootouts?
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2025
Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2025
The goalie collided with Houston’s Ezequiel Ponce late in the match with SDFC holding a one-goal lead, bloodying his nose.
—Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bloody
Adjective
Investigators found rifles and magazines as well as a bloody blanket and clothing at their home, according to WJTV.
—Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
Will those same places later serve as ironic backdrops for bloody shootouts?
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
Two days after Burrell’s birthday party, on Christmas Eve 2022, the group allegedly stole bags of marijuana from an Oakland cannabis dispensary and left an employee bloodied.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2025
The goalie collided with Houston’s Ezequiel Ponce late in the match with SDFC holding a one-goal lead, bloodying his nose.
—Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bloody
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bloody
Adjective
-
Attendees have been asked to wear red, white or blue to the service.—
Alexandra Hutzler,
ABC News,
20 Sep. 2025
-
As trees store chlorophyll, their leaves change from green to yellow, as well as orange and red, colors left by other chemicals, said Brandon Fuller, a doctoral candidate and lecturer in the biology department at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC).—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Jon Voight as Paul Serone Jon Voight brought his acting chops to Anaconda, playing the sketchy and murderous snake hunter Paul Serone.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Then again, the right time to tell a violent story about murderous greed is a matter of debate.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Using abrasive cleaner or products with harsh chemicals can damage the beautiful material and lead to a less-than-pretty tub.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
14 Sep. 2025
-
But posting on social media leaves a record, and in times of escalating political polarization, those declarations can be seen as damaging to the reputation of an individual or their employer.—
Nino Paoli,
Fortune,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The actress’ hair featured a middle part with reddish tones styled in a straight fashion by Dana Boyer, with makeup provided by Misha Shahzada.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Both types are wingless, black-brown to reddish-brown, and about 1/8 inch long.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The disruptions come amid a WNBA season in which multiple games were marred by the objects making appearances on the court.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Each death was devastating to relatives and friends left behind, and the first decades of the twentieth century were marred by individual grief on a global scale.—
Alice Vernon
September 8,
Literary Hub,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Many times, Pete is the one keeping Ray going and avoiding a gory fate.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Most allow some violent content but place restrictions on especially gory and bloody videos and restrict such content from younger users.—
Hadas Gold,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Given the Normans’ brutal treatment of the English and their subsequent expansion across the Mediterranean, there are undeniable parallels between 1066 and later spasms of European expansionism.—
Will Collins,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
-
The eight-episode thriller, which premieres September 19 on ViX, follows Nolasco Black (Bichir), a forensic dentist investigating brutal murders in 19th century Veracruz who discovers evidence that the infamous London killer has crossed the Atlantic.—
Veronica Villafañe,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Most recently, he was badly injured after a high–speed car crash in New Hampshire in August.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Two Fort Worth firefighters were injured while battling a two-alarm fire at the house.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bloody.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bloody. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share