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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar 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 guts

Noun

In 1997, John Desler, a former Ole Miss defensive back, and his wife, Leelee, bought the guts of the place from James Purvis, proprietor of Purvis Pool Hall and the town’s most renowned bookie. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026 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 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

If the old Ernest Hemingway adage holds true, that courage equals grace under pressure, then Anna May Wong (1905-1961) had it in spades.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
Looking back, Branagh says aside from speaking with Filkins, the film gave him a deeper appreciation of the courage required to listen and to hear and to stay in the room.

— Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of courage

Verb

Aside from SealForce, the Roomba Max 875 cleans with an impressive 35,000 Pascals of suction and 20 liters per second of airflow.

— Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 5 Sep. 2026
The winery also has solar panels that generate about 100,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity a year, more than enough to cover its energy needs, along with heat pumps and a system that cleans and reuses wastewater.

— Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of cleans

Noun

Twenty-five years later, that moment remains a symbol of America’s fortitude following the horrific 9/11 terror attacks that killed 2,977 people at the World Trade Center, The Pentagon and in Somerset County, Penn.

— Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026
To lose them both to separate suicides while facing his own mortality as an active athlete requires true fortitude.

— Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of fortitude

Verb

Whenever letter writer shares a baby photo on the family group chat, sister adds a competing one that draws conversation her way.

— Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2026
Italy draws millions of visitors with its beaches, quaint villages and iconic ancient Roman landmarks.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2026