harrow

verb

Definition of harrownext
as in to plague
to cause persistent suffering to the villagers were gaunt and sickly, harrowed by years of disease and starvation

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 harrow Before the big race, the track was harrowed, bringing it to a better and drier racing surface. — John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2025 The research fellow who met me, Birte, was in her forties, and appeared as if she had been harrowed by her work. — John Ganz, Harper's Magazine, 22 May 2024 Plus, Shin Ha-young is given little to do in the second half of the series despite her effortless shift from warm third wheel to harrowed and weary abuse victim. — Geoffrey Bunting, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2023 That same humble deity, in the course of putting on humanity, had obtained a glimpse of the conditions on earth—poverty, needless estrangement, a stubborn pattern of rich ruling over poor—and decided to incite a revolution that would harrow Hell. — Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 28 Dec. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harrow
  1. plague
  2. afflict
  3. persecute
  4. torture
  5. torment
Verb
  • Minnesota lawmakers with broad bipartisan support this year approved a new watchdog agency tasked with fighting fraud that's plagued social services programs in the state for years.
    — Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Previous administrations have been plagued by poor accountability on large-ticket projects, a problem the president’s critics say remains the case under Tinubu.
    — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of plague
Verb
  • Calle 13 became famous not just for its edgy rap and urban music, but also for loudly calling out the economic and social inequalities that afflicted Puerto Rico.
    — Helena Alonso Paisley, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The uncertainty that afflicts others about how to dress for one’s age, one’s job or even the weather doesn’t seem to unsettle this cohort.
    — The Learning Network, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of afflict
Verb
  • During this same time his father had vanished behind the Bamboo Curtain and was almost certainly persecuted, possibly even murdered, by the same Communists that Hoover claimed to be fighting.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Those governments provide assurances that people won’t be persecuted or tortured, federal attorneys said.
    — Lindsay Whitehurst, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of persecute
Verb
  • The latest season, currently being aired, depicts a fictional Chinese intelligence agency capturing and torturing some of the Japanese spies.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Shorter than his peers (with Diana the tallest), Absolute Superman is more reserved and less confident than them — but just as tortured.
    — Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of torture
Verb
  • The foul odors from the 639-acre Chiquita Canyon Landfill have tormented residents for years, leading to tens of thousands of complaints.
    — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Don’t underestimate the value of a quarterback who can torment defenses with his legs - something not seen ‘round these parts during the Tua Tagovailoa era.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of torment

Browse Nearby Words

harries
harrow
harrowed
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Cite this Entry

“Harrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harrow. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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