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Definition of grisly

grisly

/ˈɡrɪz.li/
gris · ly
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grisly Lexical Profile

grisly Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Causing horror, revulsion, or disgust; gruesome or macabre.

Example

"The historical podcast recounted the grisly details of the medieval plague with clinical detachment."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for grisly
Antonyms
View all antonyms for grisly

Word Nuance & Usage

Do not confuse 'grisly' (horrifying or gruesome) with its homophones 'grizzly' (grayish or relating to the grizzly bear) and 'gristly' (containing tough cartilage or gristle).

• Rhymes for grisly

• Nearby Words

grippingly
grippy
griptape
grisly
grist
gristle
gristly

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English 'grislic' (horrible, dreadful, terrifying), derived from a Proto-Germanic root meaning to shudder or tremble with fear.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Grisly. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/grisly
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