GUT-WRENCHING Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

gut-wrenching

adjective

Definition of gut-wrenching

as in gruesome

informal causing great mental or emotional pain gut-wrenching decisions the novel's gut-wrenching opening scene

Related Words

Relevance

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-wrenching Savannah stepped back from her role on Today at the time, sharing a number of gut-wrenching pleas to the public with the hope of finding her mother. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 8 June 2026 Just gut-wrenching start to finish, and the closing moments with Rip will crush any hard-working man. — David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 May 2026 And the first step in beginning to sell real, substantive hope will require incoming Canucks leadership to make some gut-wrenching decisions while surrounding themselves with a group of advisers of the highest quality. — Thomas Drance, New York Times, 13 May 2026 Hours after that gut-wrenching loss, 25-year-old right-hander Ben Joyce pitched for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga. — Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gut-wrenching

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gut-wrenching

Adjective

On a more altruistic front, Leighton also stands ready to end a gruesome pandemic in another world, turning up with vaccines and medications like a multidimensional DoorDash service.

— Scott Tobias, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
Where does that leave the gruesome project that binds them together?

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of gruesome

Adjective

Still, Joe feels responsible and apologizes to Michelle, who, despite probably being in horrific pain, is a very good sport about the whole thing.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
Part of a Lavallette, New Jersey, liquor store was boarded up and a bouquet of flowers was left outside Sunday night, somber reminders of a horrific crash that killed a woman a day earlier.

— Naveen Dhaliwal, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of horrific

Adjective

Jordan Lawler pinch-ran but was caught stealing on a terrific throw by Marlins catcher Joe Mack.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026
Scott tears into the Bard’s lines — his Hamlet is terrific — and the spotlight is more on his sense of humor than his pain.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of terrific

Adjective

His naked illusion dresses — the first worn by actress Mitzi Gaynor for a 1969 television special — was at first shocking but became liquid gold for Mackie, solidifying his legacy as a costume and fashion designer.

— Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2026
While Week 2 of the college football season was filled with drama, the typical chaos, and the game of the year with Texas-Ohio State, the most shocking result of the weekend was Oklahoma State's upset win over the Oregon Ducks.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of shocking

Adjective

He’s crafted a propulsive, simultaneously terrifying and hilarious thrill ride that showcases both his cinematic chops and perverse sense of humor.

— Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026
Compounding fears was a terrifying warning from a former AI executive last week that AI could end civilization within a decade and the tech companies aren’t doing enough about it.

— S.E. Cupp, New York Daily News, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of terrifying

Adjective

There are also horrifying incidents of helplessness and despair, as well as touching examples of hope, faith and redemption.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 20 Sep. 2026
At least three witnesses to the horrifying scene rush up to the truck, ordering the 57-year-old truck driver to stop, with one of them reaching under the truck to help the girls.

— Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of horrifying

Adjective

The decision to construct the film around precisely five-minute takes presents a formidable formal and technical challenge.

— Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026
The Gateway defense was formidable, forcing seven negative plays in the first half, including four sacks, and limited the Eagles to 12 second-half snaps and one first down.

— Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of formidable

Browse Nearby Words

gutty

gut-wrenching

guy

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Gut-wrenching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gut-wrenching. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of gut-wrenching

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

pundit

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes