gruesome

[groo-suhm] / ˈgru səm /

ADJECTIVE

horrible, awful

Synonyms

STRONGEST

appalling frightful ghastly grim grisly hideous horrendous horrid horrific horrifying lurid macabre morbid shocking terrible terrifying ugly weird

WEAK

abominable daunting fearful grody gross loathsome monstrous offensive repugnant repulsive sick spine-tingling

Antonyms

STRONGEST

attractive cheerful comforting delightful gentle good happy nice normal pleasant pleasing wonderful

WEAK

pretty

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"I must admit, I thought it was pretty gruesome to be perfectly honest," he said.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

He said that informing the family of the gruesome details was the most difficult thing he’s done in his 37-year law career.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

It’s also getting more gruesome, and therefore less fun.

From Salon • Apr. 8, 2026

Teng worries that she will have to pixelate the gruesome scene to protect the dignity of the children.

From Barron's • Jan. 27, 2026

Then I saw what lay ahead: a gruesome parade of pestilence.

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda

Vocabulary lists containing gruesome

The Devil's Arithmetic

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