blood-and-guts

adjective

ˈblə-dᵊn-ˈgəts How to pronounce blood-and-guts (audio)
Definition of blood-and-gutsnext
as in violent
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity a hockey team known for its blood-and-guts play

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 blood-and-guts That realization elevates the film’s campy blood-and-guts from gore to gut-punch. — Gráinne O'Hara Belluomo, WWD, 1 Dec. 2024 Still, these sections lack the blood-and-guts tension of her interactions with her mother. — Madeline Leung Coleman, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2025 Dawn of the Dead's flood of blood-and-guts is among the most memorable in film history, if only for the unnaturally vivid shades of red. — Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Oct. 2025 However, fighters in the UFC seem to get caught up in trying to appease the casuals who can only appreciate blood-and-guts wars. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2026 The striking contrast with everything heard earlier — not just the music but the blood-and-guts oratory — was bewildering, and in the midst of the temporary bewilderment, Melania emerged in her trim, bright-red skirt suit. — Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 19 July 2024 Her sharp depictions of blood-and-guts nursing brimmed with acerbic opinions on topics ranging from the unpopularity of the British consul in Volos to inaccurate reporting by journalists who lacked Greek language skills. — Richard Byrne, The New Republic, 25 Aug. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blood-and-guts
  1. violent
  2. ferocious
  3. fierce
  4. furious
  5. turbulent
  6. rabid
Adjective
  • Dinah Voyles Pulver, a national correspondent for USA TODAY, writes about violent weather, climate change and other news.
    — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • English soccer fans have earned a reputation for violent hooliganism, hurling plastic chairs and brawling their way across the piazzas and boulevards of Europe.
    — Alexander Smith, NBC news, 3 July 2026
Definition of violent
Adjective
  • Known for his command of ferocious demon-quelling deities, Zhenwu remains a popular deity in Daoist exorcist rituals in places such as Taiwan.
    — Michael Naparstek, The Conversation, 6 July 2026
  • That’s because a parasite called Cyclospora, which can contaminate raw produce and causes ferocious and long-lasting bouts of diarrheal illness, is making people sick across several states.
    — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
Definition of ferocious
Adjective
  • Its young people are increasingly educated and ambitious but many are frustrated over fierce competition for limited jobs.
    — Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
  • The Pride and Angel City have established a fierce rivalry in their short history.
    — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 July 2026
Definition of fierce
Adjective
  • The Kang Kon was unveiled a month after the Choe Hyon in May 2025, but it was damaged during a botched launch at the northern port of Chongjin, prompting a furious response from Kim.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026
  • Croatia still furious Despite the correct decision being made, Croatia manager Zlatko Dalić was far from happy, saying VAR had ruined the spirit of the game.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
Definition of furious
Adjective
  • Weaker global markets, which have impacted tech stock valuations, and the turbulent performance of SpaceX’s recent massive IPO were among the top concerns cited by insiders who have made the case that patience is a virtue.
    — John Kell, Fortune, 1 July 2026
  • His confirmation closes one of the most turbulent presidential searches in UF history.
    — Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
Definition of turbulent
Adjective
  • The other rabid animals were five bats and one each cat, coyote, skunk and woodchuck.
    — Jack Perry, The Providence Journal, 3 July 2026
  • This was a rabid, partisan home-soil advantage that flat-out bullied the squad into surviving.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 2 July 2026
Definition of rabid

Browse Nearby Words

blood
blood-and-guts
bloodbath
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Cite this Entry

“Blood-and-guts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blood-and-guts. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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