as in gruesome
informal
causing great mental or emotional pain
gut-wrenching decisions the novel's gut-wrenching opening scene
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Recent Examples of gut-wrenching
The final product, a co-production between ITVS and Deep Dive Films in association with Storylens Pictures, is a gut-wrenching, tender probe into the trans-masc experience, and why, though an inherently joyful change, transitioning often becomes dangerously isolating.
—
Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
Every new detail about the case has been more gut-wrenching than the last, and with each passing moment without any real leads, the concern about Nancy Guthrie’s well-being grows.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 9 Feb. 2026
Raha’s story has spread quickly in recent weeks in part because her Telegram posts express a joyful nature that is now gut-wrenching to behold.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
Hearing disgusting lies spread about my brother is absolutely gut-wrenching, and my family is deeply grateful so many people have stood up and helped tell his truth.
—Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gut-wrenching
Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
Every new detail about the case has been more gut-wrenching than the last, and with each passing moment without any real leads, the concern about Nancy Guthrie’s well-being grows.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 9 Feb. 2026
Raha’s story has spread quickly in recent weeks in part because her Telegram posts express a joyful nature that is now gut-wrenching to behold.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
Hearing disgusting lies spread about my brother is absolutely gut-wrenching, and my family is deeply grateful so many people have stood up and helped tell his truth.
—Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gut-wrenching
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gut-wrenching
Adjective
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The teens recorded their attack Monday and the gruesome 10 minute video was widely shared to a website where people post videos depicting extreme violence.—
Anna Schecter,
CBS News,
20 May 2026
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Similarly economical and granularly detailed is a 20-minute sequence in the middle of the film that’s gruesome, comical and crucial to the propulsion of the story.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
19 May 2026
Adjective
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This season has been horrific for Wolverhampton Wanderers.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
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Padgen, a part of the Tuesday squad, said volunteers typically show up the same day every week and spend about seven hours together, making each squad incredibly close and giving veterans, especially those who have lived through horrific combat, a place to feel understood.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
Adjective
-
Home-Run Balls, named for a popular Korean snack of the same shape, are terrific gougère puffs filled with foie-gras cream, and a spring-pea lettuce cup was clean and bright.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
24 May 2026
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Starters Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober have been terrific.—
John Shipley,
Twin Cities,
22 May 2026
Adjective
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As shocking as this slush fund is, it should best be understood as one more test for what the administration can get away with.—
The Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 May 2026
-
Slaten endured a shocking meltdown, allowing a pair of two-run home runs that put the Twins ahead in Boston’s eventual 8-6 loss.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
23 May 2026
Adjective
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For Orlo Vista residents, the disaster unfolded with terrifying speed.—
Greg Bennett,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
-
Nicholls opened Rockwater not long after Cyclone Pam, a terrifying storm that churned through Vanuatu and inflicted $600 million in damage.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
Adjective
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But needy, possessive Nikki smothers Bear, and what plays out is a horrifying tale of obsessive love gone wrong — sour, curdled and violent.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
23 May 2026
-
Last December, in another horrifying unprovoked incident on the T, a group of teens assaulted and filmed an attack and robbery on an 18-year-old rider attempting to board an Orange Line train at Downtown Crossing – a neighborhood plagued by violent crime.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
23 May 2026
Adjective
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The reigning Super Bowl MVP was brought aboard as the Chiefs look to reestablish a formidable, dangerous run game.—
Pete Sweeney
May 22,
Kansas City Star,
22 May 2026
-
Pitt nabbed the iconic part, which Clooney wasn't thrilled about, but what followed was a formidable friendship that has continued on- and off-screen.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
Adjective
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Nate was a compelling, complex antagonist for Euphoria’s first two seasons, but this season has seen the man brutalized by frightening criminals who make his mind games look like child’s play.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
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But that only made things slightly less frightening.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gut-wrenching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gut-wrenching. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
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