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.
Currently, families are forced to make gut-wrenching choices between housing and health care, groceries and medicine. Christine Quinn, New York Daily News, 17 Feb. 2025 Losing your luggage is an absolutely gut-wrenching experience. Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2025 After the New Artist award was presented, there was a gut-wrenching montage that showed the unthinkable devastation wrought by the Los Angeles wildfires last month. Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 2 Feb. 2025 Yet another gut-wrenching scenario for a team that now has won an uncanny 17 straight one-possession games. Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 27 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

Dictionary Entries Near gut-wrenching

Cite this Entry

“Gut-wrenching.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gut-wrenching. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

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