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.
In Squid Game, participants face this gut-wrenching dilemma repeatedly. Mark Travers, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025 However, a special teams disaster was also responsible for Denver’s most gut-wrenching loss of the season. Nick Kosmider, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025 Both teams had another possession but had to punt before Penn State’s gut-wrenching mistake and interception with 30 seconds remaining set up Notre Dame at the Penn State 42-yard line. Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025 Carol remembers overhearing the gut-wrenching phone call between her father and her grandmother. Anna Turning, NBC News, 29 Dec. 2024 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 2 Feb. 2025.

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