sanguinariness

Definition

Noun: The quality or state of being sanguinary; specifically: - Bloodthirstiness: a disposition or tendency toward violence, cruelty, or the spilling of blood. - Bloodiness: the condition of being marked by or involving bloodshed.

Usage Examples

• (His tendency toward bloodshed and cruelty.)
• (The bloodiness and violence of those events.)
• (The innate tendency toward cruelty.)

Advanced Usage

• "to display sanguinariness": to show a marked inclination toward violence.

  • The general's sanguinariness was displayed in his orders to execute prisoners without trial. (He demonstrated bloodthirstiness.)

• "sanguinariness in warfare": the degree of bloodshed characteristic of a particular conflict.

  • The sanguinariness of the trench warfare shocked even seasoned soldiers. (The extreme bloodiness of the combat.)

Variants and Related Words

• Sanguinary (adj): involving or causing much bloodshed; bloodthirsty.

  • The battle was a sanguinary affair, with heavy casualties on both sides. (A bloody event.)

• Sanguine (adj): (Note: this is a distinct word, not a variant) cheerfully optimistic; not related to "sanguinariness" except in shared Latin root sanguis (blood). Do not confuse.

Synonyms

• Bloodthirstiness: a desire for or enjoyment of violence and bloodshed.
• Cruelty: the quality of causing pain or suffering deliberately.
• Ferocity: the state of being savagely fierce or violent.
• Barbarity: extreme cruelty or brutality.

Related Idioms