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harrowing

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adjective har·row·ing \ˈher-ə-wiŋ, ˈha-rə-\

Definition of harrowing

  1. :  acutely distressing or painful a harrowing experience Mr. Wu's work in a coal mine was particularly harrowing. — Charles Horner

harrowingly

adverb

See harrowing defined for English-language learners

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First Known Use of harrowing

1799

harrowing Synonyms

Synonyms
afflicting, agonizing, cruel, excruciating, galling, grievous, bitter, harsh, heartrending, hurtful, painful, tormenting, torturous
Antonyms
gratifying, pleasing, sweet
Related Words
insufferable, insupportable, intolerable, unacceptable, unbearable, unendurable, unsupportable; appalling, awful, bad, dire, dreadful, ghastly, horrible, miserable, nasty, rotten, severe, terrible, vile, wretched; acute, extreme, intense, piercing
Near Antonyms
bearable, endurable, supportable, sustainable, tolerable; livable (also liveable), sufferable, survivable; acceptable, allowable, reasonable

HARROWING Defined for Kids

harrowing

adjective har·row·ing \ˈher-ə-wiŋ\

Definition of harrowing for Students

  1. :  very distressing or painful a harrowing experience

Learn More about harrowing

  1. Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for harrowing Nglish: Translation of harrowing for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of harrowing for Arabic speakers

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