bloodcurdling

[ bluhd-kurd-ling, -kur-dl-ing ]

/ ˈblʌdˌkɜrd lɪŋ, -ˌkɜr dl ɪŋ /

arousing terror; horrifying: a bloodcurdling scream.

Origin of bloodcurdling

First recorded in 1930–35; blood + curdle + -ing²

blood·cur·dling·ly, adverb

She says: “It is blood-curdling and shocking and it is becoming his symbolic signature.”

How ISIS Ripped Off ‘Natural Born Killers' |Jamie Dettmer |September 23, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
There is no more prized scalp” he shrieked—and he invested the word “scalp” with blood-curdling intensity—“than mine!

Joe Walsh Vs. Tammy Duckworth: Yelps, ‘Lies’ and Tough Talk in Illinois House Showdown |Lloyd Grove |November 5, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
SUBTOTAL: $101.5 million a year THE BOTTOM LINE: The gross vampire product is a blood-curdling $771.5 million annually.

Gross Vampire Product |Duff McDonald |November 18, 2009 |DAILY BEAST
Again peals forth that awful, blood-curdling scream, proceeding right from among those primitive dwellings.

Haviland's Chum |Bertram Mitford

In three days there were no more rats left, and Dandy began to utter his weird, blood-curdling howls—he wanted to come on deck.

The Call Of The South |Louis Becke
The best novels never get into print and the most blood-curdling, goose-pimpling dramas are played by the boxholders.

Margarita's Soul |Ingraham Lovell
It was such a blood-curdling yelp that Washer cringed and cowered in fear.

Washer the Raccoon |George Ethelbert Walsh
Mr Powell was young enough, to be startled at the suggestion, which sounded confidential and blood-curdling in the dusk.

Chance |Joseph Conrad

bloodcurdling

/ (ˈblʌdˌkɜːdlɪŋ) /

terrifying; horrifying

bloodcurdlingly, adverb