as in gruesome
extremely disturbing or repellent
the police report described the murder scene in grisly detail
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 grisly
But the grisly truth is that, in this case, China’s power derives from mass death.
—
Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 24 July 2025
The grisly discovery was made around 7:50 p.m. Wednesday when onlookers spotted the body near Canal and West Sts.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 17 July 2025
Add these fresh horrors to the historical record of the 2015 hunt and a grisly picture emerges.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2025
This season features new and even grislier games, plenty of shocking plot twists and nail-biting moments, and yes, the return of the VIPs.
—Regina Kim, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for grisly
Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 24 July 2025
The grisly discovery was made around 7:50 p.m. Wednesday when onlookers spotted the body near Canal and West Sts.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 17 July 2025
Add these fresh horrors to the historical record of the 2015 hunt and a grisly picture emerges.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2025
This season features new and even grislier games, plenty of shocking plot twists and nail-biting moments, and yes, the return of the VIPs.
—Regina Kim, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for grisly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grisly
Adjective
-
But the gruesome truth remains — more than 120 are people are dead, including children.—
Bea L. Hines,
Miami Herald,
11 July 2025
-
Other all-original haunted houses will include Jason Universe, which takes guests back to the summer camp where, one Friday the 13th, the gruesome legend was born.—
Tom Tapp,
Deadline,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
California homeowner’s insurance premiums were already rising before the horrific Southern California wildfires in January.—
Scott Cohn,
CNBC,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
The Too Much creator recently shared her vision for a film based on the shocking affair between Tom Sandoval and Rachel Leviss that was unpacked during the Bravo reality show’s Season 10 reunion in 2023, as Sandoval’s estranged ex Ariana Madix had the chance to confront them both.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
2 Aug. 2025
-
Contract disputes involving All-Pro members of the Dallas Cowboys are hardly shocking this time of year.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grisly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grisly. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share