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

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 Given the grimy, gory nature of writer-director Paul Greengrass’ historical film, Garfield had to rely on his go-to ways to unwind. — Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026 The problem is that the action becomes so relentless, so explicitly gory, that a bad aftertaste sets in. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026 There are a lot of news clippings, but none too gory or bloody. — Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026 What inspired the gorier aspects of the movie’s plot in the first place? — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gory

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gory

Adjective

In December 2024, Syrian rebels streamed into Damascus in a surprise attack that toppled President Bashar al-Assad and put an end to more than 13 bloody years of civil war.

— Emily Feng, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2026
The Administration’s tactics have reminded her of recent malicious acts in France tied to Russian operatives, such as the defacing of a Holocaust memorial with bloody handprints and the planting of a pig’s head outside a mosque.

— Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of 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

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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 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of gory

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