Gruesome Meaning in English

word

US

/ˈɡɹusəm/

GROO-suhm

UK

/ɡɹˈuːsʌm/

GROO-suhm

Definition

Very shocking, unpleasant, or horrifying, often because of involving blood, violence, or death.

Usage & Nuances

Used mainly for stories, images, or events involving physical horror (blood, violence, death). Common with nouns like 'crime', 'scene', 'details', 'accident'. Strong negative connotation, not used casually.

• Spanish: horrible - espantoso - macabro
• Portuguese (BR): horrível - macabro - assustador
• Portuguese (PT): horrível - macabro - arrepiante
• Chinese (Simplified): 可怕的 - 骇人的 - 毛骨悚然的
• Chinese (Traditional): 可怕的 - 駭人的 - 毛骨悚然的
• Hindi: भयानक - डरावना - वीभत्स
• Arabic: مروع - بشع - دموي
• Bengali: ভয়ঙ্কর - নির্মম - বিভৎস
• Russian: жуткий - ужасный - кровавый
• Japanese: ぞっとする - おぞましい
• Vietnamese: ghê rợn - rùng rợn
• Korean: 섬뜩한 - 끔찍한
• Turkish: dehşet verici - tüyler ürpertici
• Urdu: خوفناک - ہولناک
• Indonesian: mengerikan - mengerikan sekali

Example Sentences

The movie had several gruesome scenes.

basic

They found the crime scene too gruesome to describe.

basic

The news reported a gruesome accident on the highway.

basic

His story was so gruesome that some people had to leave the room.

natural

I can't watch gruesome documentaries about serial killers.

natural

That was the most gruesome story I’ve ever heard—it gave me chills.

natural