1
as in inside(s)
guts plural
the internal organs of the body
the student dissected the frog and looked at its guts with a mixture of fascination and disgust
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in courage
guts plural
strength of mind to carry on in spite of danger
it took a lot of guts to rush into that burning building and save her cat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in nerve
guts plural
the strength of mind that enables a person to endure pain or hardship
had the guts to keep running the race even though she felt like quitting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
5
as in belly
an enlarged or bulging abdomen
an ever-expanding gut was sorry evidence that she had been neglecting her workouts
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in heart
the seat of one's deepest thoughts and emotions
the film packs an emotional wallop that the viewer will feel in his gut
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to clean
to take the internal organs out of
you'll need to gut the fish and wash it out before you can cook it
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in visceral
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of gut
Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026
Scientists are increasingly finding that gut health may hold clues to Parkinson’s disease years, even decades, before tremors and other familiar symptoms appear.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 1 May 2026
Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Built in 1915, the four-story Berkowitz loomed over Main Street as a vacant eyesore for more than two decades before Douglas Bromfield’s Capital Restoration lined up private financing along with state and local tax credits to gut and renovate it.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 24 Apr. 2026
Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 3 Dec. 2025
Now, in a new review article, researchers at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa (UH Mānoa) have investigated how gut bacteria can affect our epigenome – the chemical tags on DNA and RNA that turn genes on or off without altering the underlying genetic code.
—New Atlas, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gut
Noun
That earlier work found reduced levels of bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids — molecules that help maintain the gut lining and tamp down inflammation — and a higher relative abundance of bacterial groups tied to inflammatory activity.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026
Scientists are increasingly finding that gut health may hold clues to Parkinson’s disease years, even decades, before tremors and other familiar symptoms appear.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 1 May 2026
Verb
The findings suggest the transmission of these bacteria from mouth to gut, after finding that the oral bacteria matched closely to the gut bacteria in the same person, according to genetic comparisons.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Built in 1915, the four-story Berkowitz loomed over Main Street as a vacant eyesore for more than two decades before Douglas Bromfield’s Capital Restoration lined up private financing along with state and local tax credits to gut and renovate it.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
These included a small amount of muscle loss, increases in LDL and total cholesterol, and other reported issues such as possible nutritional deficiencies, gut microbiota changes, gastrointestinal symptoms, hyperuricemia, and (in some research) bone-health concerns.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 3 Dec. 2025
Now, in a new review article, researchers at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa (UH Mānoa) have investigated how gut bacteria can affect our epigenome – the chemical tags on DNA and RNA that turn genes on or off without altering the underlying genetic code.
—New Atlas, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gut
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gut
Noun
-
The courage to make those choices and keep moving forward is what has defined my journey.—
Noor Lobad,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
But when a mysterious aircraft sinks into the ocean, Ally’s peaceful world is suddenly thrown into danger and is thrust into a journey real-life marine creatures as the film explores themes of friendship and courage.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
My clients had the nerve to go on and succeed without him.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Sadly, politicians will not have the nerve to enact and enforce such legislation.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Salmonella infections are commonly associated with diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps, according to the CDC.—
Addy Bink,
The Hill,
28 Apr. 2026
-
When ingested, the bacteria can release enzymes that neutralize stomach acids, then from there storm the intestines and can enter the blood.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Footage of the incident, which remains available on YouTube, shows the sculpture upturned, interior belly exposed, tossed about by crashing waves, its famous polka dotted shell bending like cardboard to the winds.—
Lale Arikoglu,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 May 2026
-
By midmorning, rescuers began moving a fire hose under the whale’s belly and around his pectoral fins.—
Jessica Camille Aguirre,
New Yorker,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
While too much unhealthy fat can raise health risks, healthy fats are essential for energy, hormone balance, and heart health.—
Vanessa Caceres,
Verywell Health,
4 May 2026
-
My heart goes out to everyone impacted by the fire — the lives lost, the destruction of homes and businesses.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Just a week after one woman on Jenner’s cleaning staff sued her, claiming her co-workers harassed and discriminated against her, another housekeeper has come out with allegations.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
Mahan, who is running for governor, said in his official argument for Measure A that the revenue priorities include faster police, fire, and emergency response, as well as cleaning graffiti and maintaining parks.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
More than ever, there is a visceral need for kindness and empathy.—
Aariana Rose Philip,
Vogue,
4 May 2026
-
McNeely devised a remarkably visceral blend of German Expressionism, Surrealism, and feminism.—
Dan Stahl,
New Yorker,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
There’s bravery in how these artists are driven by conviction.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
2 May 2026
-
Passion isn’t practical, and bravery is required under the Scorpio full moon.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gut.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gut. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
