as in gruesome
informal
causing great mental or emotional pain
gut-wrenching decisions the novel's gut-wrenching opening scene
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gut-wrenching
Christopher Landon is a master at making audiences vacillate between gut-wrenching terror and gut-busting laughter.
—
Katcy Stephan, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
Before Denzel’s commanding presence or Viola’s gut-wrenching monologues, there was Sam Lucas, the first Black actor to play Uncle Tom in a 1914 silent film.
—Essence, 9 Apr. 2025
This gut-wrenching loss came two nights after the Cougars fashioned a wild comeback of their own, from 14 down against Duke.
—Eddie Pells, Baltimore Sun, 7 Apr. 2025
Just as gut-wrenching for Newcastle was the 98th-minute concession at Anfield in August 2022.
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gut-wrenching
Katcy Stephan, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
Before Denzel’s commanding presence or Viola’s gut-wrenching monologues, there was Sam Lucas, the first Black actor to play Uncle Tom in a 1914 silent film.
—Essence, 9 Apr. 2025
This gut-wrenching loss came two nights after the Cougars fashioned a wild comeback of their own, from 14 down against Duke.
—Eddie Pells, Baltimore Sun, 7 Apr. 2025
Just as gut-wrenching for Newcastle was the 98th-minute concession at Anfield in August 2022.
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gut-wrenching
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gut-wrenching
Adjective
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It was later discovered he had been killed in a gruesome attack that U.S. intelligence says was ordered by the country's de facto leader Mohammed bin Salman.—
Domenico Montanaro,
NPR,
16 May 2025
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But the rich emotional depth of that film is matched in Bring Her Back, a horror movie that delights in gruesome practical effects but also presents a nuanced character study, with little judgement passed on its bereaved antagonist, Laura.—
Madison Bloom,
Pitchfork,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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Abuse Of Power: Season 1 (May 19) Long-running ID series American Monster enters a new chapter with Abuse of Power, a long-form series that takes on cases where horrific crimes and scandals were covered up and disposed of by authority figures.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
16 May 2025
-
Sheriff’s officials released footage that showed the horrific attack.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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Comment Wow, what a terrific series finale to Luthen, the acclaimed Disney+ show about the rebel who challenged an Empire, and also all of the other rebels, mostly by lecturing them incessantly.—
Jesse Hassenger,
Vulture,
14 May 2025
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Already an Olympic bronze medalist thanks to her play for Team USA's 3 vs. 3 squad at the 2024 Paris games, Van Lith concluded a terrific NCAA career with a final season starring in the Big 12 for Texas Christian University.—
Alex Kirschenbaum,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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May 5, 2025: Leo attends his first Met Gala (which is kind of shocking in and of itself) alongside Ceretti, who made her Met Gala debut in 2021.—
Glamour,
Glamour,
9 May 2025
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During a text exchange afterwards, Hanley asked Sobule if the New York experience was shocking.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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The family eventually crosses paths with a corrupt theme-park operator (John Ortiz), his sheriff (Colin Hanks) and a terrifying crime boss (Sharon Stone) before chaos ensues.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
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The additional terrifying factor was that the plane had only three minutes of fuel left — and Cruise had still not gotten up.—
Antonia Blyth,
Deadline,
14 May 2025
Adjective
-
The renowned American sculptor was more accessible at a smaller scale with a formidable presence at TEFAF New York.—
Natasha Gural,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
-
Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation Cobb brings a formidable and unique resume to WWE, built across multiple major promotions.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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These frightening and repulsive actions represent the most significant breach on our Capitol in over two hundred years.—
Sonam Sheth
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
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Mellencamp's frightening diagnosis, though, hasn't stopped her resolve.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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Transgender kids, especially under the current president, are facing terrible rights losses and bigotry.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2025
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Such legislation is meant to destabilize Pakistan’s internal politics, which is in no one’s interests, except those who promoted such a terrible idea in the first place.—
Christopher Shays,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gut-wrenching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gut-wrenching. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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