bloody 1 of 2

Definition of bloodynext

bloody

2 of 2

verb

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

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
Police also found a gun that matched the forensics of bullets used in the murder, as well as a pair of shoes that matched bloody footprints left in Hosic's garage. Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026 There’s a sense of surrender in the way this tune eroticizes total passivity, giving up control, just letting your feelings pound you to a bloody pulp. Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
He was bloodied in the first half, literally giving blood and sweat to complete the goal. Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Mar. 2026 One agent was left bloodied by a rioter. Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 2 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bloody
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bloody
Adjective
  • But Republicans have long complained that Democrats have used the law to get winnable districts for their Black voters in red states that Republican-leaning white voters could never receive in blue states.
    Nicholas Riccardi, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Cops are looking for three men, along with a woman with red hair, according to law enforcement sources.
    Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Their murderous plot is foiled when two escaped prisoners and a guard crash the weekend.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Nor should Iran earn gold stars for supporting its murderous network of allies that includes Hamas and Hezbollah.
    Tom Jurkowsky, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Data from the German Aerospace Center, which analyzes global development, cross-referenced with images from ICEYE and Vantor show that buildings making up the peripheries of the cities damaged by this year’s fires mostly sprang up in the 2000s and 2010s.
    Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The marble that makes up the bathrooms comes from nearby quarries; some have marble from a nearby quarry, and others have the same reddish marble used at Le Petit Trianon at Versailles.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026
  • That being said, if a package of beef looks a bit brown, reddish-brown, or a more dull pink, this doesn’t necessarily mean the meat is bad, Brekke confirms.
    Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • That project was marred by a labor investigation, which BYD and its contractors settled late last year.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
  • May Day rallies in Turkey are frequently marred by clashes with authorities.
    Sylvie Corbet, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Adjective
  • The film is fairly gory, and Taccone recently endured his own experience of body horror; while attempting to finish a mural at his home in Connecticut, the director fell from a ladder and shattered his pelvis, leaving him unable to walk for months.
    Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026
  • The jury saw photos and video of the scene, including one gory top-down photo.
    John Annese, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • In Oddity, Darcy (Carolyn Bracken) is driven entirely by grief over the brutal murder of her twin sister.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 1 May 2026
  • Demand for EVs in China is slowing after the government trimmed consumer subsidies and perks, and there’s no end in sight to a brutal price war as a crowded field of EV rivals jostle to outperform and undercut one another.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • Police said the driver of the SUV was not injured and is cooperating with investigators.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Joshua Jahn, 29, killed a detainee, injured two others and fatally shot himself.
    Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bloody.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bloody. Accessed 3 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on bloody

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster