ENGLISH
REFERENCE

grisly

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ˈɡɹɪzɫi// UK //ɡɹˈɪsli// gris·ly

adj. describing something that is very unpleasant and shocking because it involves blood, death, or violence.

adj. inspiring horror, disgust, or intense fear, specifically through the depiction or presence of gore and physical violence.


SIMPLE

The news report gave some grisly details about the crime scene.

CONTEXTUAL

Detectives spent hours examining the grisly evidence left behind in the abandoned warehouse.

COMPLEX

While the novel was praised for its intricate plot, some critics found the grisly descriptions of the battlefield to be unnecessarily graphic and distracting.

Usage

Typically used to describe crimes, accidents, or horror stories; often modified by 'quite' or 'truly'.

Pitfall

a grizzly murdera grisly murderLearners often confuse 'grisly' (horrible) with 'grizzly' (the type of bear or hair streaked with grey).

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