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Gruesome Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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gruesome

[ˈɡruːs(ə)m ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

horror movies

Causing horror or disgust. Extremely unpleasant or shocking.

Synonyms

ghastly, grisly, macabre.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
gruesome

Used to describe something that causes horror or disgust, often related to physical violence or injury.

  • The details of the crime scene were too gruesome to share on the evening news
grisly

Often used to refer to something that is gruesomely unpleasant, especially in relation to death or injury. It conveys a sense of horror and repulsion.

  • The detective was accustomed to seeing grisly crime scenes in his line of work
ghastly

Typically used to describe something shockingly frightful or dreadful, often invoking a sense of ghostly or supernatural horror.

  • She turned a ghastly shade of white when she heard the news about the accident
macabre

Used to describe something that is grim, having the quality of relating to death, often in a disturbing way. It suggests a fascination with death and decay.

  • Her artwork had a macabre beauty, depicting scenes of skeletons and dark, eerie landscapes

Examples of usage

  • The movie was full of gruesome scenes of violence.
  • The gruesome murder scene left the detective speechless.
Context #2 | Adjective

crime reporting

Involving or depicting extreme violence or cruelty.

Synonyms

atrocious, horrific, shocking.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
gruesome

Used to describe something horribly repellent and shocking to the senses, often related to graphic violence or death.

  • The detective arrived at the gruesome crime scene.
  • The horror movie featured some truly gruesome scenes.
atrocious

Refers to something extremely bad or unpleasant, often in the context of behavior, actions, or quality. Can carry a negative connotation.

  • His manners are absolutely atrocious.
  • The painting was an atrocious attempt at modern art.
horrific

Describes something that causes horror or terror, usually linked to severe violence, disasters, or shocking events.

  • The survivors shared their stories of the horrific accident.
  • The film depicted a truly horrific monster.
shocking

Used to describe something surprising in a negative way, evoking strong emotional reactions such as dismay or astonishment.

  • The news of the scandal was shocking.
  • Her shocking decision left everyone speechless.

Examples of usage

  • The news report described the gruesome details of the serial killer's crimes.
  • The gruesome photos from the crime scene were difficult to look at.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'gruesome'

The word 'gruesome' originated in the mid-18th century from the combination of 'grue' (to shudder) and 'some' (tending to). It was initially used to describe something that caused a physical reaction of horror or disgust. Over time, its usage expanded to encompass a wider range of extreme violence or cruelty, particularly in the context of horror movies and crime reporting.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,466, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.