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.
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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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But the indictment returned by a Georgia grand jury in May detailed a gruesome confrontation in which Ibarra allegedly asphyxiated the student, hit her over the head with a rock to the point of disfiguring her skull, and pulled up her clothing, intending to rape her.Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 20 Nov. 2024
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The film, set for theatrical release in the second or third quarter of 2025, centers on 13-year-old Achraf, who is forced into a gruesome and unimaginable act after his cousin Nizar is murdered by a group of men.Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 23 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Iran possessing nukes represents an existential threat to Israel’s security in a way that terror groups—despite their horrific actions—simply never did.Carrie A. Lee, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2024
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But when Harvey goes missing, Batman is forced to descend into the city’s labyrinthian underground, uncovering a horrific conspiracy by a secret society that has ruled Gotham for ages, one that has ties to his parents’ tragic murder.Todd Spangler, Variety, 19 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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The French Lutin fae can turn malicious if insulted, ruining crops and frightening animals.Erik Kain, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
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Sanders has avoided a serious injury after a frightening incident during last night's game against the Kansas City Chiefs.Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 25 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 30 Nov. 2024.
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