as in gruesome
informal
causing great mental or emotional pain
gut-wrenching decisions the novel's gut-wrenching opening scene
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Recent Examples of gut-wrenching
Hearing disgusting lies spread about my brother is absolutely gut-wrenching, and my family is deeply grateful so many people have stood up and helped tell his truth.
—
Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
The themes are powerful and gut-wrenching.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Our tear ducts definitely got a workout this year, as television offered up a bounty of gut-wrenching, sob-inducing moments.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2025
Hearing those words was gut-wrenching.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gut-wrenching
Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
The themes are powerful and gut-wrenching.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Our tear ducts definitely got a workout this year, as television offered up a bounty of gut-wrenching, sob-inducing moments.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2025
Hearing those words was gut-wrenching.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gut-wrenching
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gut-wrenching
Adjective
-
This story is set in a gruesome, violent, vile world.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Throughout the last two days, Ivey centered himself in faith and gratitude — two grounding principles for a player whose career was derailed in January 2025 by a gruesome leg injury.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Pregnancy was an offense punishable by death in the camps, yet all three women managed to survive horrific conditions, give birth and keep their newborns alive through seemingly impossible twists of fate and luck.—
Lesley Stahl,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
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His cinema verite style powerfully exposed the horrific inhumanity of public institutions (like hospitals, schools and housing projects) supposedly created to help people.—
Duane Byrge,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Rose is a terrific story told with confidence and brisk pacing, but also a great vehicle for the astonishing Hüller.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Early in the second period, Franzreb made two terrific saves, the first one a glove stab on a Dylan Larkin shorthanded bid and the second on an Eichel breakaway, who had just stepped out the box.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This shocking ignorance and insensitivity by Ocasio-Cortez should rule her out of any potential presidential bid or other high office.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
14 Feb. 2026
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Viewers barely have time to register what’s in front of them before there’s another shocking accusation, revelation, or character detail.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Even the more terrifying creatures, like rattlesnakes and scorpions, have their own undeniable, deadly beauty.—
Becky Bartkowski,
AZCentral.com,
14 Feb. 2026
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The story that introduced millions of streaming viewers to the Crain family and their terrifying home is getting a brand-new life — this time, on stage.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The trail of terror since is too long to lay out in all its horrifying detail—in Madrid and Munich, in Strasburg and Stockholm, and all the way to Hamas’s mass murder of Jews on October 7, 2023.—
Josef Joffe,
The Atlantic,
14 Feb. 2026
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While the Guthrie disappearance is a rare but horrifying instance of the perils of an elderly person living alone, many families struggle with worry and concern over older relatives who live by themselves.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Apple Pay and Cash App became formidable competitors.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The rout was on from there as Florida’s formidable frontcourt imposed its will, finishing with a 56-35 rebounding edge and a 20-point advantage in the paint.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Trish Walters of Portland, Oregon, another passenger, recounted the frightening incident on social media.—
Jessica Mekles,
FOXNews.com,
14 Feb. 2026
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As unsettling events ripple through the town, Henry begins to grapple with the frightening possibility that he may be connected to the darkness taking hold.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gut-wrenching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gut-wrenching. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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