1
as in adventurous
inclined or willing to take risks
a gutsy coach willing to let her team improvise on the court
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in courageous
feeling or displaying no fear by temperament
they were gutsy enough to attempt a rescue on their own
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gutsy
Channelling this voice allows for the sort of gutsy, big-hearted romp that’s unusual even for a first-time novelist.
—
Hannah Gold, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
That was followed by a gutsy 10-3 win at Texas A&M, a 24-10 win over defending national champion Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl and a back-and-forth 31-27 win over the Ole Miss Rebels in the Fiesta Bowl to earn a spot in the title game.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 18 Jan. 2026
Georgia pulled off a gutsy special-teams trick play that could have been hailed for years by Georgia fans.
—Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Jennifer is scrappy, gutsy, and one of a kind.
—Elle McLogan, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gutsy
Hannah Gold, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
That was followed by a gutsy 10-3 win at Texas A&M, a 24-10 win over defending national champion Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl and a back-and-forth 31-27 win over the Ole Miss Rebels in the Fiesta Bowl to earn a spot in the title game.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 18 Jan. 2026
Georgia pulled off a gutsy special-teams trick play that could have been hailed for years by Georgia fans.
—Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Jennifer is scrappy, gutsy, and one of a kind.
—Elle McLogan, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gutsy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gutsy
Adjective
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The fire sign is a direct, bold, fiery, passionate force to be reckoned with, which is ideal for anyone who dreams of an adventurous, perhaps even globetrotting affair.—
Maressa Brown,
InStyle,
15 Feb. 2026
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Royal Caribbean Best for adventurous couples cruises Couples cruises on Royal Caribbean are affordable, packed with fun things to do on board, and sail to romantic destinations.—
Megan duBois,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Their courageous action continues to pay off today.—
Larry D. Urish,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
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Do not just complain and comply, but engage in courageous resistance for liberty and justice for all.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Below, designers reveal other trends that may have once been considered daring and timely but now stick out like a sore thumb.—
Lacey Ramburger,
The Spruce,
19 Feb. 2026
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Armed with beauty, daring/hustle and sheer force of will/unwavering ambition, Undine battles an entrenched elite, fearlessly courting controversy, until love and fortune align.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Bravo to ProPublica for asking for those letters, and bravo to the children brave enough to write them.—
Heidi Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
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The dynamic Sun in your 11th House of Friendship engages with therapeutic Chiron in your 1st House of Identity, inviting brave shares within your social circles.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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A little more than a week and five wins later, his young, talented and fearless team has delivered.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
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Chen, then 18 years old in his Olympic debut, bounced back in a fearless free skate that moved him into fifth overall.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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With Steph Curry in street clothes for the second consecutive game while dealing with runner’s knee, the 11-man Golden State put up a valiant effort that resulted in a come-from-behind 101-97 win.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
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An eight-point halftime lead completely vanished, and after a valiant comeback effort, SMU point guard Boopie Miller’s game-winning shot was blocked at the buzzer.—
Lia Assimakopoulos,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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But his Rainbow Coalition, a bold alliance of Blacks, Whites, Latinos, Asian Americans, Native Americans and LGBTQ people, helped pave the way for a more progressive Democratic Party.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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The movies that would be honored here, by contrast, were bolder than the Spirits usually go, resulting in a truly independent raft of winners.—
Film Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Dailyn Swain has delivered heroic performances in his first season with Texas basketball.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
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These ventures can be heroic, as when Tommie Smith and John Carlos valiantly raised their fists as a Black Power salute in Mexico City in 1968.—
Steve Buckley,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gutsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gutsy. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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