adj
gruesome
GROO-suhm
adj
1
Causing horror or disgust, especially through graphic violence or death.
"The news report described the gruesome scene at the crash site."
"It's a gruesome horror film, not for the squeamish."
How to Use Gruesome
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishShockingly horrific or grisly, usually describing violence, injury, or death.
Common pairings
gruesome details
a gruesome murder
Word Forms
gruesomer comparative, more gruesome comparative, gruesomest superlative, most gruesome superlative
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The news report described the _____ scene at the crash site.
Etymology
Built from the archaic word grue, meaning "to shudder with fear," plus the suffix -some; the word was popularized in the early 19th century partly through the novels of Walter Scott.