bloodthirsty

[ bluhd-thur-stee ]

adjective

1. eager to shed blood; murderous:

   to capture a bloodthirsty criminal.

   Synonyms: pitiless, merciless, bloody, brutal, savage, homicidal

2. enjoying or encouraging bloodshed or violence, especially as a spectator or clamorous partisan:

   the bloodthirsty urgings of the fight fans.

bloodthirsty

/ ˈblʌdˌθɜːstɪ /

adjective

1. murderous; cruel
2. taking pleasure in bloodshed or violence
3. describing or depicting killing and violence; gruesome

   a bloodthirsty film

Derived Forms

• ˈbloodˌthirstily, adverb
• ˈbloodˌthirstiness, noun

Other Words From

• bloodthirsti·ly adverb
• bloodthirsti·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bloodthirsty¹

First recorded in 1525–35; blood + thirsty

Example Sentences

It left some viewers perplexed, as they questioned what a bloodthirsty plant had to do with Christmas.

From BBC

Crowds would burst into bloodthirsty "fight fight fight" chants at a moment's notice.

From Salon

Trump has disparaged Harris’ intelligence and has claimed that migrants have turned America into “an occupied country” and a “garbage can for the world,” promising his election would mean a “liberation day” when he puts “these vicious and bloodthirsty criminals in jail.”

From Los Angeles Times

Immortal, bloodthirsty creatures that feed on humans - they have sharp fangs and a hatred for sunlight and garlic.

From BBC

He also reiterated plans for a mass deportation for illegal migrants, speaking of his wish to "rescue" places that had been "invaded and conquered" by "vicious and bloodthirsty criminals".

From BBC

Related Words

• homicidal
• ruthless