GUT-WRENCHING Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

gut-wrenching

adjective

Definition of gut-wrenching

as in gruesome

informal causing great mental or emotional pain gut-wrenching decisions the novel's gut-wrenching opening scene

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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 gut-wrenching Savannah stepped back from her role on Today at the time, sharing a number of gut-wrenching pleas to the public with the hope of finding her mother. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 8 June 2026 Just gut-wrenching start to finish, and the closing moments with Rip will crush any hard-working man. — David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 May 2026 And the first step in beginning to sell real, substantive hope will require incoming Canucks leadership to make some gut-wrenching decisions while surrounding themselves with a group of advisers of the highest quality. — Thomas Drance, New York Times, 13 May 2026 Hours after that gut-wrenching loss, 25-year-old right-hander Ben Joyce pitched for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga. — Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gut-wrenching

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gut-wrenching

Adjective

Thunder star Jalen Williams, the team’s second-leading scorer and best all-around defender during its title run two seasons ago, fractured a fibula and dislocated his left ankle in a gruesome injury Sunday.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2026
Rescue workers continue to search in the wreckage for survivors and bodies, with witnesses describing a gruesome scene.

— Anders Hagstrom, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of gruesome

Adjective

The battle is between that horrible atmosphere and some of the horrific candidates that have been nominated by the Democratic Party.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
The plot is carried out to horrific proportions, but the subjects are so utterly moronic that the gag stops being amusing.

— Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of horrific

Adjective

Mainly notable for its high-octane car chases and terrific stunt work, the film should, like most of Neeson’s recent efforts, find its biggest audiences on streaming and cable.

— Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2026
Our review praised the terrific gunplay, tense matches, and incredible graphics.

— Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of terrific

Adjective

In 2017, McDowell suffered another shocking loss when Paxton died following heart surgery.

— Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2026
The project follows Anna, who races to conceal the shocking truth about her best friend’s death on the night of her 21st birthday.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of shocking

Adjective

Malerman’s truly terrifying horror novel, 2024’s Incidents Around the House, upon which Other Mommy is based, tells the tale of struggling married couple Ursula and Ross and their young daughter, Bela.

— Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2026
Scottie’s punishing, smothering treatment of Judy, who bears much more than a passing resemblance to Madeleine, borders on truly terrifying to many women watching the film.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of terrifying

Adjective

The supermodel, known for going above and beyond with her elaborate (and often horrifying) costume creations, has unveiled a sneak peek at this year’s outfit.

— Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Oct. 2026
To see that beautiful sense of community shattered by senseless violence is devastating, and learning that multiple victims are children is even more horrifying.

— David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of horrifying

Adjective

As the frightening phantom of Frank the Bunny warns, this parallel reality has a ticking clock that’ll result in its imminent collapse in just 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds.

— Jeff Spry, Space.com, 26 Oct. 2026
For neighbors, the crash brought a frightening interruption to an otherwise routine afternoon.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of frightening

Browse Nearby Words

gutty

gut-wrenching

guy

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Style

“Gut-wrenching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gut-wrenching. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of gut-wrenching

adjective

Example Sentences

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