SANGUINARY Synonyms: 92 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'sanguinary' contrast with its synonyms?

The words bloody and gory are common synonyms of sanguinary . While all three words mean "affected by or involving the shedding of blood," sanguinary applies especially to something attended by, or someone inclined to, bloodshed. // the Civil War was America's most sanguinary conflict

Q: When is 'bloody' a more appropriate choice than 'sanguinary'?

The synonyms bloody and sanguinary are sometimes interchangeable, but bloody is applied especially to things that are actually covered with blood or are made up of blood. // bloody hands

Q: When is it sensible to use 'gory' instead of 'sanguinary'?

The words gory and sanguinary can be used in similar contexts, but gory suggests a profusion of blood and slaughter. // exceptionally gory , even for a horror movie

sanguinary

adjective

ˈsaŋ-gwə-ˌner-ē

Definition of sanguinary

as in murderous

eager for or marked by the shedding of blood, extreme violence, or killing a movie so sanguinary that I covered my eyes during at least half of it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the adjective sanguinary contrast with its synonyms?

The words bloody and gory are common synonyms of sanguinary. While all three words mean "affected by or involving the shedding of blood," sanguinary applies especially to something attended by, or someone inclined to, bloodshed.

the Civil War was America's most sanguinary conflict

When is bloody a more appropriate choice than sanguinary?

The synonyms bloody and sanguinary are sometimes interchangeable, but bloody is applied especially to things that are actually covered with blood or are made up of blood.

bloody hands

When is it sensible to use gory instead of sanguinary?

The words gory and sanguinary can be used in similar contexts, but gory suggests a profusion of blood and slaughter.

exceptionally gory, even for a horror movie

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 sanguinary In a series of sanguinary close-ups, Elvira takes a cleaver to her digits, first slicing them and then fully dismembering them. — Andrew McGowan, Variety, 23 Dec. 2025 The film, documenting the intense, sanguinary attempt by Ukrainian soldiers to retake a village seized by Russian invaders, won Chernov the directing award for World Cinema Documentary at Sundance. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 7 July 2025 Mass shootings scarcely register anymore, unless the death toll reaches a certain sanguinary level. — Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2024 An appeal to force was an admission of failure, and the pride of the new nation was the sense of overcoming the sanguinary reflexes of the old world. — TIME, 31 Jan. 2024 See All Example Sentences for sanguinary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanguinary

Adjective

Then came Hamas’ murderous invasion of Israel on October 7, 2023, and the even more murderous Israeli invasion of Gaza, which triggered protests and encampments on college campuses from Mexico to Australia.

— Justin Davidson, Curbed, 19 Aug. 2026
In Furious, Lola Petticrew’s Catherine Grace is a woman on a murderous mission.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of murderous

Adjective

Khomeini’s decision turned it into a six-year war of attrition that killed hundreds of thousands, one of the bloodiest conflicts in the region’s modern history.

— Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
In early 2026, satellite images revealed Akinci drones deployed in southern Egypt for executing strikes against the Rapid Support Forces fighting in the bloody civil war in neighboring Sudan.

— Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of bloody

Adjective

Cole, who has to maneuver his way around 20 savage crew members, each of whom will need to be killed, doesn’t waste a homicidal movement.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
The savage battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa had already demonstrated the ferocity with which Japanese forces would defend their homeland.

— James M. Scott, Time, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of savage

Adjective

Within a span of four months in Fort Worth last year, Watkins and Snellings were killed in similarly brutal attacks in the Near Southside and Historic Southside sections of the city.

— Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026
Even so, when investor confidence broke in 1997, the adjustment was swift and brutal.

— MICHAEL PETTIS, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of brutal

Adjective

Their arrival comes during a violent week in Haiti; at least 47 people were killed and more than 50 others kidnapped, according to Haitian officials.

— Nathan Lee, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Karilyn Orr, an internal safety and prevention specialist in the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, and Nick Jakubisin, a special agent in the Illinois State Police’s violent crimes unit, joined Hills in the presentation.

— Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of violent

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sang (out)

sanguinary

sanguine

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“Sanguinary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanguinary. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of sanguinary

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