sanguinary

[ sang-gwuh-ner-ee ]

adjective

1. full of or characterized by bloodshed; bloody:

   a sanguinary struggle.

2. ready or eager to shed blood; bloodthirsty.

   Synonyms: savage, cruel, murderous

   Antonyms: kind

3. composed of or marked with blood.

sanguinary

/ ˈsæŋɡwɪnərɪ /

adjective

1. accompanied by much bloodshed
2. bloodthirsty
3. consisting of, flowing, or stained with blood

Derived Forms

• ˈsanguinarily, adverb
• ˈsanguinariness, noun

Other Words From

• sangui·nari·ly adverb
• sangui·nari·ness noun
• un·sangui·nari·ly adverb
• un·sangui·nari·ness noun
• un·sangui·nary adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sanguinary¹

First recorded in 1540–50, sanguinary is from the Latin word sanguinārius bloody. See sanguine, -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of sanguinary¹

C17: from Latin sanguinārius

Example Sentences

He saw Gen. Braddock as he passed on to his defeat, and could give a succinct account of that sanguinary action.

From Project Gutenberg

He was long engaged in sanguinary war with the Turks and the French, who pillaged and destroyed his frontier towns.

From Project Gutenberg

Battle of Surcoign; British defeated by the French after a sanguinary conflict.

From Project Gutenberg

This sanguinary mixture is generally believed to possess effervescing properties when stirred.

From Project Gutenberg

"Atavism can hardly explain a roaming animal with teeth and claws and sanguinary instincts," interrupted Maloney with impatience.

From Project Gutenberg