凄絶(せいぜつ)

せいぜつ
na-adjective
ghastly; horrific; extremely fierce
1. ghastly; horrific; appalling; gruesome
So terrible or extreme as to be frightening or shocking. Used to describe scenes, situations, or experiences of extreme severity.
凄絶(せいぜつ)な光景(こうけい)だった。
It was a ghastly sight.
戦場(せんじょう)には凄絶(せいぜつ)な現実(げんじつ)が広(ひろ)がっていた。
A horrific reality spread across the battlefield.
被災地(ひさいち)の凄絶(せいぜつ)な状況(じょうきょう)がテレビで報道(ほうどう)された。
The appalling conditions of the disaster area were reported on television.
2. extremely fierce; intense; desperate
Of extraordinary intensity or ferocity, often describing battles, competition, or struggles that push beyond normal limits.
凄絶(せいぜつ)な戦(たたか)いだった。
It was an extremely fierce battle.
両者(りょうしゃ)は凄絶(せいぜつ)な打(う)ち合(あ)いを見(み)せた。
Both fighters showed an intensely fierce exchange of blows.
彼(かれ)は病気(びょうき)と凄絶(せいぜつ)な闘(たたか)いを続(つづ)け、最後(さいご)まで諦(あきら)めなかった。
He continued a desperate fight against the disease and never gave up until the very end.

USAGE:
凄絶(せいぜつ) is a literary and dramatic word used primarily in written language, journalism, and formal speech. It conveys a sense of something that goes beyond ordinary severity — shocking or awe-inspiring in its intensity.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 凄絶(せいぜつ)な戦(たたか)い (an extremely fierce battle)
  • 凄絶(せいぜつ)な光景(こうけい) (a ghastly sight)
  • 凄絶(せいぜつ)な最期(さいご) (a gruesome/fierce end)
  • 凄絶(せいぜつ)を極(きわ)める (to reach the height of horror/intensity)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 壮絶(そうぜつ): heroically fierce, intense (similar but with a more positive, admiring nuance)
  • 悲惨(ひさん): tragic, miserable
  • 凄(すさ)まじい: terrible, tremendous (more colloquial)
general
Added 2026.3.7 22:43
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