[ 'grɪzli ]
■ adjective ( grislier , grisliest ) causing horror or revulsion.
Derivatives
grisliness noun
Origin
OE grislic 'terrifying', of Gmc origin.
Usage
Grisly and grizzly are often confused. Grisly means ‘causing horror or revulsion’, as in ~ crimes , whereas grizzly is chiefly used with reference to a kind of large American bear, and can also mean ‘grey or grey-haired’.