gut-wrenching

adjective

gut-wrench·​ing ˈgət-ˌren-chiŋ How to pronounce gut-wrenching (audio)
: 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.
Just as gut-wrenching for Newcastle was the 98th-minute concession at Anfield in August 2022. Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025 Particularly gut-wrenching is seeing the family grave plots now surrounded by nothing but burned trees. Pete Hammond, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2025 Forget about the four straight Super Bowl losses in the 1990s or even the 17-season playoff drought, both gut-wrenching in their own ways. Matthew Fairburn, The Athletic, 25 Jan. 2025 The past week has been gut-wrenching for our town, like all the worst parts of the Bible at once. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 14 Jan. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Gut-wrenching.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gut-wrenching. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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