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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This episode is both incredibly gruesome and incredibly funny, and the show maintains an excellent balance between the two extremes.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
10 June 2026
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On Monday evening, protesters burned down a bus as tensions rose in Belfast following the gruesome stabbing, despite earlier calls from authorities for calm.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
Adjective
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In 1984, following Operation Blue Star, the assassination of India's prime minister by her Sikh bodyguard triggered horrific mob violence that killed thousands of Sikhs across the country, pushing many more to flee.—
Akash Pamarthy,
NPR,
6 June 2026
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In this true crime documentary, Emmy-winning filmmaker Liz Garbus and her team examine the timeline leading up to the horrific incident, offering a different explanation behind one of New York's worst motor vehicle accidents.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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That was in the month of April, and in the month of September, Nick gathered together five other terrific actors.—
Scott Feinberg,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2026
-
Delane plays with terrific foot speed, loose hips and elite body control on an island.—
Jesse Newell,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
Adjective
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Here are the five most shocking moments from Dutton Ranch season 1, episode 6.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
13 June 2026
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While this may seem shocking, the most important variables found by Yartseva are informative.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Adjective
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The series follows the residents of a remote island town called Widow’s Bay, just off the coast of New England, that just so happens to be cursed and haunted with all manner of terrifying things.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
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The premise sees the town’s citizens coming around a campfire and spilling the beans on some of most terrifying deeds.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
12 June 2026
Adjective
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The last episode involved horrifying doll monsters and a very illuminating mushroom trip.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2026
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Having catalogued the Black Death’s horrifying effects, Ibn Khatima went on to outline a series of preventative measures and active treatments designed to combat this merciless scourge.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 May 2026
Adjective
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After another solid season in 2021, injuries and sub-par play eventually led to an exit from the NFL, but Robinson has made a pretty formidable case for a return with his play in his UFL debut campaign.—
Juan Carlos Blanco,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
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Studio had some formidable shoes to fill, replacing the eponymous and long-beloved French fine-dining institution that had defined special-occasion fine dining in Laguna Beach for more than twenty years.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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The frightening encounter began several years ago when her daughter texted her from school complaining of pain just above her belly button.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
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Vampires, deadly disasters, and creeps are among those who help these frightening flicks scare the hell out of audiences.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gut-wrenching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gut-wrenching. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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