as in violent
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity
a hockey team known for its blood-and-guts play
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Recent Examples of blood-and-guts
Though Hunt Wynorski’s (Nick Zano) actual death happens off-screen, his pained panic at being trapped underwater by the suction pull of a public pool’s drain is an agonizing sequence, culminating in the gnarly visual of a blood-and-guts fountain.
—
Gayle Sequeira, Vulture, 16 May 2025
This is a blood-and-guts medical-show model, in which everything teeters on the brink of catastrophe at all times and the doctors are adrenaline junkies approximately one shift away from a complete mental breakdown.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 3 Apr. 2025
That realization elevates the film’s campy blood-and-guts from gore to gut-punch.
—Gráinne O'Hara Belluomo, WWD, 1 Dec. 2024
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
The search produced Jeff Banister, straight out of central casting, talking with Texas grit and offering up blood-and-guts analogies.
—Evan Grant, Dallas News, 23 Mar. 2023
Despite his reputation as a blood-and-guts brawler, Moxley is an underappreciated mat technician.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2023
At another point in the trailer, Renfield and Awkwafina, who plays a traffic cop, set about to take on Dracula in a blood-and-guts confrontation.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Mar. 2023
Gayle Sequeira, Vulture, 16 May 2025
This is a blood-and-guts medical-show model, in which everything teeters on the brink of catastrophe at all times and the doctors are adrenaline junkies approximately one shift away from a complete mental breakdown.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 3 Apr. 2025
That realization elevates the film’s campy blood-and-guts from gore to gut-punch.
—Gráinne O'Hara Belluomo, WWD, 1 Dec. 2024
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
The search produced Jeff Banister, straight out of central casting, talking with Texas grit and offering up blood-and-guts analogies.
—Evan Grant, Dallas News, 23 Mar. 2023
Despite his reputation as a blood-and-guts brawler, Moxley is an underappreciated mat technician.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2023
At another point in the trailer, Renfield and Awkwafina, who plays a traffic cop, set about to take on Dracula in a blood-and-guts confrontation.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Mar. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blood-and-guts
Adjective
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The two got married, had a baby, and started a quiet life together far away from his violent past.—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
14 July 2025
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As droves of tourists continue to flock to Spain for European summer vacations, the nation’s emergency responders are dealing with the aftermath of a violent wave of flash flooding in nearly half of the country’s 50 provinces.—
Opheli Garcia Lawler,
Travel + Leisure,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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To watch her is to be enthralled by her — the ferocious eyes, hair like fire, a near-permanent smirk.—
Rance Collins,
IndieWire,
4 Aug. 2025
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The devotion, at times, has turned almost ferocious; Pop Mart decided to suspend in-person sales of Labubu in the United Kingdom after reports of chaos at stores.—
Valerie Trapp,
The Atlantic,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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In the barrios of the American Southwest, chola girls perfected their look with dark lip liner, oversized flannels, and nameplate earrings, styling themselves with fierce precision that both declared loyalty and warded off erasure.—
Alexandra Jane,
Essence,
31 July 2025
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In the last few years, fierce controversies have often been sparked by commercials, with commentators seemingly viewing ad campaigns as the battleground for a never-ending culture war.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Adjective
-
Flying across the country alone with my infant was far less turbulent with the right preparation.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
1 Aug. 2025
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For Michelle, 28, knowing her long-term relationship was over—one that had started with a DM, spanned four years, and was turbulent in the way that made letting go feel impossible—came down to seeing him with someone else…in a video watched by over a million people.—
Morgan Sullivan,
Vogue,
31 July 2025
Adjective
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This ends up looking like a furious around-the-horn toss, with all three outfielders sprinting in to complete the drill.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
26 July 2025
-
The House abruptly began its summer recess Wednesday evening, a day earlier than scheduled, as GOP leaders balked at efforts from Republicans and Democrats to press the Justice Department to make public government documents regarding Epstein. Democrats were furious.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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Next up in the renewables sector is the continuation of a rabid race to break ground on clean-energy projects to beat the tax credit deadlines.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
3 July 2025
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Unvaccinated pets represent the greatest risk of rabies exposure to humans and are frequently the link between rabid wildlife and people.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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Opening originally in the 1990s as Mean Streak, the old rough wooden coaster was given new life in 2018 with its transformation into arguably the greatest roller coaster of all time.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Aug. 2025
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The company had a rough second quarter, with automotive revenue falling 16% compared to a year ago — the second straight quarter of lower sales.—
Rob Nikolewski,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blood-and-guts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blood-and-guts. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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