Definitions

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.

Gruesome records have been set within the last decade.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 21, 2023

Gruesome stories help some of us navigate a gruesome world.

From Washington Post • Jun. 24, 2020

"Gruesome is relative," Steiner says to those who find the idea macabre.

From BBC • Feb. 1, 2017

Ralph Byrd plays the square-jawed Tracy and Boris Karloff -- natch -- is Gruesome.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 29, 2016

Gruesome march to Heorot this monster of harm had made!

From Beowulf by Gummere, Francis Barton

Vocabulary lists containing gruesome

The Devil's Arithmetic

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A Long Way Gone

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Beowulf vocabulary

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!