gory

adjective

ˈgȯr-ē How to pronounce gory (audio)
gorier; goriest
Synonyms of gorynext
1
: covered with gore : bloodstained
2
: bloodcurdling, sensational
wanted to hear the gory details

Synonyms of gory

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bloody, sanguinary, gory 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

sanguinary applies especially to something attended by, or someone inclined to, bloodshed.

the Civil War was America's most sanguinary conflict

gory suggests a profusion of blood and slaughter.

exceptionally gory, even for a horror movie

Examples of gory in a Sentence

doesn't watch too many movies that feature gory violence
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The music video — which includes a graphic content warning at the start — features symbolic and gory imagery of societal expectations and fame. — Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026 Adeline Rudolph also plays an integral role as warrior princess Kitana in the flick full of crazy moves and extremely gory finishes. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 24 July 2026 The study of these gory stellar events so early in the history of the universe could help reveal how supermassive black holes grew so big, so rapidly. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 22 July 2026 But with each installment, the Evil Dead universe — already gross, gory, and gonzo — became weirder, wackier, and eventually even more intense. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for gory

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of gory was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing gory

Rhymes for gory

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Browse Nearby Words

go/run through someone's mind
gory
gory details
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Cite this Entry

“Gory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gory. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

gory

adjective
ˈgō(ə)r-ē How to pronounce gory (audio)
ˈgȯ(ə)r-
gorier; goriest
1
: covered with gore : bloodstained
2
: bloodcurdling

More from Merriam-Webster on gory

Nglish: Translation of gory for Spanish Speakers

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