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
Now came the gut-wrenching duty to notify Aileen's sister, Franceasca Seiden.
—
Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 19 Oct. 2024
The brothers also gave gut-wrenching testimony about being raped and molested by their father—Lyle between the ages of 6 and 8, and Erik from 6 to 18.
—Emily Palmer, People.com, 8 Oct. 2024
In a gut-wrenching scene that drew criticism after the film's premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, The Apprentice depicts the future president raping his wife.
—EW.com, 3 Oct. 2024
After a gut-wrenching breakup, one of the biggest questions you might be left with is, Why?
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 23 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gut-wrenching 
Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 19 Oct. 2024
The brothers also gave gut-wrenching testimony about being raped and molested by their father—Lyle between the ages of 6 and 8, and Erik from 6 to 18.
—Emily Palmer, People.com, 8 Oct. 2024
In a gut-wrenching scene that drew criticism after the film's premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, The Apprentice depicts the future president raping his wife.
—EW.com, 3 Oct. 2024
After a gut-wrenching breakup, one of the biggest questions you might be left with is, Why?
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 23 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gut-wrenching
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gut-wrenching
Adjective
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One popular, gruesome theory has it that a truck ran her over and then sped away, but what happened for sure, no one can tell.Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024
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Before his gruesome leg injury, the 24-year-old pass-rusher was on pace to secure an NFL Defensive Player of the Year trophy.Jesse Reed, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Goldberg's words come over a year after The View began an unrelenting battle with gaseous entities, following a horrific water spillage (and mysterious fart noise of unknown origin) that plagued the Hot Topics table in January 2023.EW.com, EW.com, 5 Nov. 2024
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Travis and Jason are clearly very close with one another, and the fan that hurled such a horrific thing led to Jason reacting in a very angry manner.James Brizuela, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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In addition to strong, Oscar-worthy performances from the two leads, terrific actors populate the rest of the film, including Bowen Yang as Galinda’s bestie Pfannee, Jonathan Bailey as the impish prince Fiyero and the inimitable Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard of Oz.Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 19 Nov. 2024
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All of the sequences showing Juliette doing her best Indiana Jones impression — improvising and exploring — are truly terrific.Noel Murray, Vulture, 15 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The couple’s happy news comes months after more shocking relationship reports.Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024
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During the Halloween Nightmares episode last week, there was a shocking elimination after a fan-favorite couple went home despite winning their dance-off and receiving a high score.Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Learn more › While the roar of the mighty Tyrannosaurs rex in the Jurassic Park film franchise is pretty terrifying, it was actually created by Hollywood special effects wizards using the sounds of a baby elephant.Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 22 Nov. 2024
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In this show, the most terrifying threat is not any singular person or group, but rather, the monsters inside us.Andrés Buenahora, Variety, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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While Malloy's candidacy represents a clear challenge to Sanders' decades-long dominance in Vermont politics, the senator's enduring popularity and political influence remain formidable.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
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Saudi Arabia and the UAE could collaborate, turning the Gulf region into a formidable hydrogen production and export hub.Ken Silverstein, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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For example, people often dodge screenings and diagnostic tests to avoid the frightening possibility of discovering cancer.Discover Magazine, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
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Demi Moore is sharing scary photos of a frightening side of her character in the body horror movie The Substance.Tim Lammers, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Meanwhile Kelly Oubre, who was terrible with the Warriors, has found success with Philadelphia.Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
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Elsbeth and Kaya are suspicious of Roselyn, even after Valentina’s quick assessment — supported by the medical examiner — that Claude’s death was a terrible accident.Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near gut-wrenching
Cite this Entry
“Gut-wrenching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gut-wrenching. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
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