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

Mass shootings scarcely register anymore, unless the death toll reaches a certain sanguinary level.

From Los Angeles Times

Though Capone cut a sanguinary trail broader and wider than the Windy City, the Chicago mobster landed behind bars only after being nailed for tax evasion — certainly the least of his crimes.

From Los Angeles Times

On Sunday, Barker shared graphic photos of his blood-stained pants and sanguinary phalanges, which took a beating after Blink-182’s set in Manchester, England.

From Los Angeles Times

None of those last few come close to “Dead Ringers,” the sanguinary David Cronenberg re-imagination that was the rare case of a TV adaptation with something original to say.

From New York Times

“Based on a True Story” could have been a sanguinary sendup of the media impulse to turn slashers into celebrities, a kind of “Sweeney Pod.”

From New York Times