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
The final product, a co-production between ITVS and Deep Dive Films in association with Storylens Pictures, is a gut-wrenching, tender probe into the trans-masc experience, and why, though an inherently joyful change, transitioning often becomes dangerously isolating.
—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
Every new detail about the case has been more gut-wrenching than the last, and with each passing moment without any real leads, the concern about Nancy Guthrie’s well-being grows.
—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
9 Feb. 2026
Raha’s story has spread quickly in recent weeks in part because her Telegram posts express a joyful nature that is now gut-wrenching to behold.
—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for gut-wrenching
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
Every new detail about the case has been more gut-wrenching than the last, and with each passing moment without any real leads, the concern about Nancy Guthrie’s well-being grows.
—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
9 Feb. 2026
Raha’s story has spread quickly in recent weeks in part because her Telegram posts express a joyful nature that is now gut-wrenching to behold.
—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for gut-wrenching
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gut-wrenching
Adjective
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Chris Brown was found liable by a Los Angeles jury on Tuesday for $13 million in the gruesome case of a dog that mauled and disfigured his housekeeper at his home in 2020.
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But as the days dragged on, headlines about power outages and water shortages took a back seat to a far more gruesome and horrific reality.
Adjective
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Chicago city officials have never forgotten the lessons of the historic and horrific heat wave of July 1995, which killed 739 people in the Chicago area.
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Many of these countries are well known for horrific human rights abuses, lack of justice and abysmal detention conditions.
Adjective
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But even when Thomson, a terrific baseball lifer, was gone, Bryce Harper was still there in Philly and so was Kyle Schwarber.
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Klepov, who turns 18 on Saturday, had a terrific first OHL season, with 37 goals and 60 assists in 67 games to win the league’s scoring title.
Adjective
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The 29-year-old began her comeback Saturday at the American Classic in Champlin, Minnesota, just days after announcing her shocking return to the sport.
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Cape Verde earned three draws in the group stage – the shocking Spain result, running with Uruguay in the second match and ending up in a scoreless draw with Saudi Arabia in Houston on Friday.
Adjective
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That year, the Potomac River turned violent, as intense, heavy rains pushed the water to a terrifying, near-record flood level of 60,000 cubic feet per second.
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Just like waiting for the release of the bull, the ride vehicle will pause for three seconds before a terrifying 285-foot drop.
Adjective
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The democratic socialist obsession with the world’s only Jewish state is horrifying.
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Botulism is a horrifying illness, leaving babies without the ability to suck and swallow properly or hold their heads up.
Adjective
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The Scottish lawyer was one of the smartest, most formidable specialists in the luxury business, with a reputation that carried internationally and a vast roll call of clients.
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With five volumes of his Noise Kandy series, to solo and collaborative albums (KISS THE RING, Kontraband, Trainspotting), the Griselda affiliate has cemented his status as one of today’s most formidable spitters.
Adjective
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The hypocrisy is stunning, and frightening.
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Yes, the Scots played poorly, but Brazil’s brilliant roster of attacking talent capitalized on mistakes with frightening efficiency.
Cite this Entry
“Gut-wrenching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gut-wrenching. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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