GUTS Synonyms: 113 Similar and Opposite Words

guts 1 of 2

noun

plural of gut

as in inside(s)

the internal organs of the body the student dissected the frog and looked at its guts with a mixture of fascination and disgust

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as in courage

strength of mind to carry on in spite of danger it took a lot of guts to rush into that burning building and save her cat

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in grit

the strength of mind that enables a person to endure pain or hardship had the guts to keep running the race even though she felt like quitting

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

guts

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of gut

as in cleans

to take the internal organs out of you'll need to gut the fish and wash it out before you can cook it

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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 guts

Noun

But to me, the guts and the root of the whole thing is the writing. — Jewly Hight, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026 Newcastle United Newcastle United 2 Liverpool 2 The kick-in-the-guts last-gasp equaliser apart, this was fun. — Stuart James, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Doing that on the world stage took a different level of guts. — David MacK, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026 What kind of superhero show has the guts to kill off its lead character in the first episode? — Matt Minton, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026 This one is a teen slasher that will cover you with blood and guts at every turn. — Alaina Urquhart, PEOPLE, 11 Aug. 2026 That took some guts, even though that’s what everybody else always does. — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026 Their gonads are wrapped around their guts, just in front of a heart pumping transparent blood that doesn’t clot. — Literary Hub, 29 July 2026 Mox shoved Rick Knox, who still didn’t have the guts or aptitude to call for a disqualification. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

Verb

When the Supreme Court guts federal voting protections, every state has to decide whether to fill that void or exploit it. — Anthony G. Brown, Baltimore Sun, 26 June 2026 What most of us know is a relationship that goes sour, and the one that guts you the most is a love that goes wrong. — Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 7 May 2026 The only realistic threat to Clyburn’s winning reelection would be if the conservative Supreme Court guts the Voting Rights Act and South Carolina Republicans redraw the state’s congressional districts before the fall elections. — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 12 Mar. 2026 And if the Supreme Court makes an early enough ruling that guts the Voting Rights Act, that could allow a slew of Southern states to redraw their maps before 2026 as well. — Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 3 Dec. 2025 The government’s lawyers argued the ruling effectively guts a statute aimed at reducing gun violence by preventing unlawful drug users from wielding firearms. — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025 Her death guts Maggie, but also brings her and Jackson, her mother’s surgeon, closer. — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2025 Then the company guts what's left in the middle. — ArsTechnica, 29 Sep. 2025 Seagulls circle low as Kyan Walker bones and guts the daily catch, which currently includes black cod and halibut. — John King, San Francisco Chronicle, 5 Sep. 2023

Recent Examples of Synonyms for guts

Noun

As her translator, Anedda’s thought, as well as some of her courage, became part of my existence in the long months such a project entails.

— Wallis Wilde-Menozzi, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026
With their conceit, the clout chasers have turned his courage into a template without asking what made the original worth copying.

— Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of courage

Noun

The size of the wave highlights the ocean’s raw power and the bravery of the surfer.

— Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
That, compounded by plummeting hormones that cause vaginal dryness and painful intercourse, makes this moment for many midlife women a test in bravery.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of bravery

Noun

Richards somehow had the fortitude to continue a grueling European tour in the middle of all this chaos and sorrow, but a stadium run through America at the end of the summer was simply too much to ask.

— Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
Camping can be either a delightful pastime or a test of fortitude, depending largely on the bug situation.

— Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of fortitude

Verb

Editor’s pick More picks A rare bird draws flocks of Southern California birders to this Irvine marsh to get a glimpse.

— Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Jeff Bezos' Dolly Parton Instagram post draws criticism Bezos remembered Parton in an Instagram post alongside a throwback photo of the pair from 2022, when the Amazon founder presented her with the Bezos Courage and Civility Award.

— sameen, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of draws

Noun

Against expectation, the film eschews neat narratives about survival and heroism.

— Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
For most of his service in the House, Mills’ reputation has been clouded, starting with his campaign boasts of military heroism.

— Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026