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

Ballast water the likely vector Researchers believe the bloody red shrimp first arrived in the Great Lakes from ballast water released from freighter ships that also travel the oceans. — Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 3 July 2026 The Dred Scott decision is said to have inspired Lincoln to speak out forcefully against slavery, run for president, and later lead the nation through a bloody Civil War. — ABC News, 3 July 2026

Verb

Tillman, whose right foot was bloodied before the kick because a Bosnian player stepped on it, still arced a shot over five standing Bosnians, into an unsaveable spot that keeper Nikola Vasilj almost dared Tillman to target. — Sean Gregory, Time, 2 July 2026 Supporters — many of them wearing Colombia’s yellow and red colors — rushed the gates at the home stadium of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, leaving fans terrified and bloodied as security struggled to contain the rush. — Nbc News, NBC news, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for bloody

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bloody

Adjective

This Lulus dress looks almost identical to the style spotted on Middleton from the flutter sleeves to the statement-making white and red floral pattern.

— Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Balogun, who saw his red-card suspension set aside enabling him to play in Monday night’s win-or-done match.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026

Definition of red

Verb

Some of these storms could be severe and deliver damaging wind gusts, but any thunderstorm will contain lightning — a major danger for any outdoor activities, especially for anyone trying to escape the heat in or on the water.

— Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
Diseases that damage the kidneys and impair their ability to filter blood were blamed for 55,081 deaths in 2024.

— Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026

Definition of damage

Adjective

The dish earns its name from the reddish-brown sauce (reminiscent of barbecue sauce) made with a generous amount of butter, Cajun seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce.

— Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 4 July 2026
Peach trees only produce fruit on one-year-old wood, which will look thin and reddish brown.

— Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 2 July 2026

Definition of reddish

Verb

While Folarin Balogun and Malik Tillman delivered standout performances, Christian Pulisic's tournament was marred by injuries and a lack of goals.

— Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Especially the guy who bangs a wrecking ball against the historic East Wing to make room for an incongruous ballroom monstrosity, who mars the sacred Oval Office with gold glitter and paves over the lovely Rose Garden.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of mar

Adjective

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
The killing of an East Village man and brutal stabbing of two others in a gory 2024 street fight resulted in an 18-year prison term for the knifeman at his Manhattan Supreme Court sentencing Tuesday.

— Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 26 May 2026

Definition of gory

Cite this Entry

Style

“Bloody.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bloody. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of bloody

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verb

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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 on bloody

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Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

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Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

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