gut-wrenching

adjective

gut-wrench·​ing ˈgət-ˌren-chiŋ How to pronounce gut-wrenching (audio)
Synonyms of gut-wrenchingnext
: causing mental or emotional anguish

Examples of gut-wrenching in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Some cases are gut-wrenching, like a 24-year-old woman who died from a genetic neuromuscular disease. — Michael Collins, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 Losing a game that was seemingly in the bag — like Friday night — was tough on Venable but no doubt gut-wrenching for Getz as well. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026 After celebrating the breakaway goal, Egypt’s players quickly got that gut-wrenching, sinking feeling that comes with a VAR review. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 8 July 2026 Its portrayal of overwhelming, gut-wrenching grief could easily leave its characters cynical about love. — Dana Feldman, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for gut-wrenching

Word History

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gut-wrenching was in 1972

Rhymes for gut-wrenching

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Browse Nearby Words

gutweed
gut-wrenching
Gutzkow
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Cite this Entry

“Gut-wrenching.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gut-wrenching. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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