grisly

¹

[ griz-lee ]

adjective

, gris·li·er, gris·li·est.

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.

, gris·li·er, gris·li·est.

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

Usage

See grizzly

Derived Forms

• ˈgrisliness, noun

Other Words From

• grisli·ness 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

But the slaying of Arcos, who had vowed to pacify the region, was particularly grisly.

From Los Angeles Times

Upon hearing this grisly news, deputies called in detectives from the Major Crimes Unit who took over the investigation, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

From Los Angeles Times

The only parts of Lois’ coma dreams that weren’t real were the grisly murders, until somebody starts recreating them…which drives Lois back to the hospital, the psych ward this time.

From Salon

The grisly allegations have rattled Alrich’s neighbors in his residential Costa Mesa community.

From Los Angeles Times

Now Roop Kanwar’s story has returned to headlines in India after a court acquitted eight men accused of glorifying her death, in the last of the remaining cases in the grisly saga.

From BBC

Related Words

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