blood-and-guts

adjective

ˈblə-dᵊn-ˈgəts How to pronounce blood-and-guts (audio)
Definition of blood-and-gutsnext
as in violent
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity a hockey team known for its blood-and-guts play

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of blood-and-guts However, fighters in the UFC seem to get caught up in trying to appease the casuals who can only appreciate blood-and-guts wars. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2026 Dawn of the Dead's flood of blood-and-guts is among the most memorable in film history, if only for the unnaturally vivid shades of red. — Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Oct. 2025 Still, these sections lack the blood-and-guts tension of her interactions with her mother. — Madeline Leung Coleman, Vulture, 27 Aug. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blood-and-guts
  1. violent
  2. ferocious
  3. fierce
  4. furious
  5. turbulent
  6. rabid
Adjective
  • Their arrival comes during a violent week in Haiti; at least 47 people were killed and more than 50 others kidnapped, according to Haitian officials.
    — Nathan Lee, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Karilyn Orr, an internal safety and prevention specialist in the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, and Nick Jakubisin, a special agent in the Illinois State Police’s violent crimes unit, joined Hills in the presentation.
    — Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of violent
Adjective
  • That was the last time Tamang saw Yangri, who was whisked away by ferocious flash floods that ripped through this part of the Himalayan nation earlier this week.
    — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The run game of Agoura is ferocious and experienced, but Westlake’s QB play is better.
    — Ethan Hanson, Daily News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of ferocious
Adjective
  • Casemiro and Messi, fierce rivals when Casemiro was at Real Madrid and Messi at Barcelona, celebrated together, a rare sight for longtime La Liga fans.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Pearce was celebrating five years of Opry membership and would return later to channel many aspects of Dolly, from her humor and fierce independence to her Appalachian roots.
    — Chris Parton, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of fierce
Adjective
  • Kavanagh was furious and repeatedly made her concerns clear to her superiors at Sky.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Mother Love Bone had experienced the kind of instant success that made other local bands furious, signing a record deal after playing fewer than 10 shows.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of furious
Adjective
  • Marrow Deep at times feels turbulent, ornate, measured, chaotic, and cathartic.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Matthews addressed The Bachelorette lead’s turbulent relationship with Mortensen, which encompasses a history of domestic violence.
    — McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of turbulent
Adjective
  • This is the first rabid bat reported in the county since 2024, when two bats tested positive for rabies.
    — Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Sutter County health officials have confirmed a bat captured inside a Yuba City home was rabid and are telling residents to act with caution.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of rabid

Browse Nearby Words

blood
blood-and-guts
bloodbath
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blood-and-guts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blood-and-guts. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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