BLOODY Synonyms: 195 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

bloody 1 of 2

adjective

ˈblə-dē

Definition of bloody

as in red

smeared or stained with blood after the fight, her shirt was all bloody

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

bloody

2 of 2

verb

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

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

There’s not someone who saw the bloody knife in a murder, right? — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026 Horror’s bloody images lurk in the shadows – from ghouls leering over people’s lawns to skeletons hanging from trees – whether invited or not. — Liz Rosenberg, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2026

Verb

Sondheimer has bloodied his hands climbing over a fence to exit a bolted stadium. — Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026 The pilot assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, in Miramar, California, is seen with his face bloodied and appearing a little shaken up in the body camera footage released Friday by the Yakima County Sheriff's Office. — Jennifer Watts, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bloody

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bloody

Adjective

Miller’s calculated the percentage chance that all 35 seats in play will go blue or red virtually in real time.

— Shawn Tully, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Tiguan gets one-pedal driving and Volkswagen's new Connected Travel Assist system, which can help with lane changes on highways and bring the SUV to a stop at red traffic lights.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of red

Adjective

Discordant keys fly like daggers while snares trip over bass thuds; there’s a jazzy piano interlude, and then a murderous hard-rock siege razes the mix to the ground.

— Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 29 Oct. 2026
Unfortunately for Luca, the camera is inhabited by a demon that forces him to continue a murderous ritual started decades ago by a satanist serial killer (the titular Madison).

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of murderous

Verb

Rioters burned close to 6,000 vehicles and damaged over 1,000 buildings.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026
What that young girl saw damaged and scarred her heart; one wonders why the happy adults around her could not see the ugliness inherent in killing a fellow human being.

— Dr. Michael Good, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of damage

Adjective

Her long ponytail glints a bit reddish in the afternoon light.

— Anna King, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
Continuing to explore the hotel’s outdoor spaces, next up is the Almagra Rooftop, which gets its name from the originally Arabic word used to describe the typically reddish soil found in Seville.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of reddish

Adjective

Now in his 25th year on television, Chuck has built a beloved media career through brutal honesty.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Although the decrease in shot volume wasn’t quite as dramatic, Giddey went 1-for-10 from the field and scored only two points in Wednesday’s brutal beatdown by the Raptors.

— Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of brutal

Verb

Possible char marks from a fire or damage from another source have marred the floor of a classroom at the modern but vacant public school campus at 1215 Miramar Street, on the edge of downtown.

— Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
The election process was marred by allegations of voter suppression, with Lula's campaign reporting suspended public transportation in some key areas, prompting the court to extend voting by two hours.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of mar

Adjective

Gross, goopy, gory, bloody, and just plain meaty, Matt’s physical ailments aren’t shied away from at all, and Watkins’ dedication to going full body horror is admirable.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 21 Oct. 2026
Indeed, the show is extremely violent and gory — perhaps even moreso than many of the films.

— James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of gory

Cite this Entry

Style

“Bloody.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bloody. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of bloody

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Synonyms of bloody

adjective

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to bloody

9 Words from P.G. Wodehouse

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

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