Thesaurus results for GORY

Q: How does the adjective 'gory' contrast with its synonyms?

The words bloody and sanguinary are common synonyms of gory . While all three words mean "affected by or involving the shedding of blood," gory suggests a profusion of blood and slaughter. // exceptionally gory , even for a horror movie

Q: Where would 'bloody' be a reasonable alternative to 'gory'?

Although the words bloody and gory have much in common, bloody is applied especially to things that are actually covered with blood or are made up of blood. // bloody hands

Q: When might 'sanguinary' be a better fit than 'gory'?

In some situations, the words sanguinary and gory are roughly equivalent. However, sanguinary applies especially to something attended by, or someone inclined to, bloodshed. // the Civil War was America's most sanguinary conflict

gory

adjective

ˈgȯr-ē

Definition of gory next

as in bloody

smeared or stained with blood doesn't watch too many movies that feature gory violence

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the adjective gory contrast with its synonyms?

The words bloody and sanguinary are common synonyms of gory. While all three words mean "affected by or involving the shedding of blood," gory suggests a profusion of blood and slaughter.

exceptionally gory, even for a horror movie

Where would bloody be a reasonable alternative to gory?

Although the words bloody and gory have much in common, bloody is applied especially to things that are actually covered with blood or are made up of blood.

bloody hands

When might sanguinary be a better fit than gory?

In some situations, the words sanguinary and gory are roughly equivalent. 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 gory With the story moving more or less in real time — 15 hour-long episodes for a single 15-hour shift — patients with gory injuries and tragic stories come and go more quickly than the health care workers can process. —

Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2026 The Stephen King Cinematic Universe A wildly influential film that spins high school revenge fantasy into a dizzyingly gory spectacle. —

Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026 The atmosphere is perfect, with rusty metal, hanging chains, and dripping water providing a backdrop for a bunch of tense chase scenes and gory chest explosions. —

K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 3 Apr. 2026 Upon the umpteenth retelling, Jules (Jeff Wilbusch)—who witnessed the gory death of Rachel’s mother (Victoria Pedretti) as a little boy and therefore wholeheartedly believes in the curse—begins poking holes in the story. —

Sam Reed, Glamour, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gory

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gory

Adjective

The defense also used the recordings to suggest that Fuhrman may have planted the bloody glove to frame Simpson.

— Bonny Chu , Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
Founding Fathers will go from the stirrings of revolution to the long and bloody fight for independence, and on into the early years of the American republic.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 18 May 2026

Definition of bloody

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gormlessness

gory

gosh

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“Gory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gory. Accessed 22 May. 2026.

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Synonyms of gory

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