gory

adjective

ˈgȯr-ē How to pronounce gory (audio)
gorier; goriest
Synonyms of gorynext
1
: covered with gore : bloodstained
2
: bloodcurdling, sensational
wanted to hear the gory details

Synonyms of gory

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bloody, sanguinary, gory 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

sanguinary applies especially to something attended by, or someone inclined to, bloodshed.

the Civil War was America's most sanguinary conflict

gory suggests a profusion of blood and slaughter.

exceptionally gory, even for a horror movie

Examples of gory in a Sentence

doesn't watch too many movies that feature gory violence
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
That said, Kimble was asked to scale back one scene with the creature — an attack on a solider in episode two that turned out so gory, Hawley deemed it too much for even FX. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 13 June 2026 But then everyone here, in front of and behind the camera looks to be having a great time, which keeps the mood bouncy, however gory or splattery or thematically knotty the moment. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 13 May 2026 The first third of director Ben Wheatley’s gory black comedy introduces us to Ulysses and takes us on his journey through a small town that harbors a link to Japan. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for gory

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of gory was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing gory

Rhymes for gory

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Browse Nearby Words

go/run through someone's mind
gory
gory details
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Cite this Entry

“Gory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gory. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

gory

adjective
ˈgō(ə)r-ē How to pronounce gory (audio)
ˈgȯ(ə)r-
gorier; goriest
1
: covered with gore : bloodstained
2
: bloodcurdling

More from Merriam-Webster on gory

Nglish: Translation of gory for Spanish Speakers

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