grisly

¹

[griz-lee]

adjective

grislier, grisliest 

1. causing a shudder or feeling of horror; horrible; gruesome.

   a grisly murder.

2. formidable; grim.

   a grisly countenance.

grisly

²

[gris-lee]

adjective

Obsolete.

grislier, grisliest 

1. an obsolete spelling of gristly.

grisly

¹

/ ˈɡrɪzlɪ /

adjective

1. causing horror or dread; gruesome

grisly

²

/ ˈɡrɪzlɪ /

noun

1. obsolete,  a variant spelling of grizzly

Other Word Forms

• grisliness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of grisly¹

before 1150; Middle English; Old English grislīc horrible; cognate with Old High German grīsenlīh

Word History and Origins

Origin of grisly¹

Old English grislic; related to Old Frisian grislik, Old High German grīsenlīh

Example Sentences

It was also a turbulent time - the Tate's collection tracks the nation's journey from a British colony, to a fledging, independent country, to the setting of a grisly civil war.

Read more on BBC

Some seem to be smiling, reminiscent of the merry onlookers grinning for the camera in grisly lynching photos.

Read more on Salon

The recent trial dredged up old memories, with some evidence suggesting gang loyalties pushed Echeverria and Pineda to commit the grisly crime — while prosecutor David Ayvazian alleged a more sinister motive.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The car, registered to the singer, was impounded before the grisly discovery was made.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

As the grisly opening frame of the finale shows us, we’re just meat for bottom feeders.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• abominable 
• appalling 
• awful 
• bloody 
• dreadful 
• eerie 
• frightful 
• ghastly 
• grim 
• gruesome 
• hideous 
• horrible 
• horrid 
• lurid 
• macabre 
• shocking 
• sickening 
• terrible 
• terrifying