1
as in painful
hard to accept or bear especially emotionally
a harrowing portrayal of the ravages of war
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wrenching
intensely or unbearably painful
the harrowing amputations without any anesthetic that soldiers and sailors once were forced to endure
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in plaguing
to cause persistent suffering to
the villagers were gaunt and sickly, harrowed by years of disease and starvation
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of harrowing
Vanessa Romo, NPR, 10 Oct. 2025
Meyer's vivid descriptions paint a harrowing picture that holds up just as well as the film version's finale scenes.
—USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
Stephanie leaves after a harrowing incident involving a rapist loose in the hospital who causes an explosion.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2025
Many Amazon reviewers shared the harrowing accidents that motivated them to finally buy one, including a car rolling off a ferry and a rollover accident with kids in the backseat.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harrowing
Adjective
The most harrowing stop came in November 2023 as the war between Ukraine and Russia raged.
—Vanessa Romo, NPR, 10 Oct. 2025
Meyer's vivid descriptions paint a harrowing picture that holds up just as well as the film version's finale scenes.
—USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
Stephanie leaves after a harrowing incident involving a rapist loose in the hospital who causes an explosion.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2025
Many Amazon reviewers shared the harrowing accidents that motivated them to finally buy one, including a car rolling off a ferry and a rollover accident with kids in the backseat.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harrowing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harrowing
Adjective
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Past disasters have left a painful mark for many, but they’re connected by strong community ties and have come together at vigils to honor and pray for the victims.—
Alisha Ebrahimji,
CNN Money,
13 Oct. 2025
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But the film is most moving in its quieter moments, when the longest and most painful goodbye mellows into something like acceptance, tinged with gratitude for the moments that remain to be lived.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Jordan Shamir, co-founder and CEO of Yofi AI, said fraud and theft continue to be major issues plaguing brands and retailers of all sizes.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
17 Oct. 2025
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Politicians on both sides of the aisle widely condemned the attack, one of several high-profile acts of political violence plaguing the United States in recent years.—
Matt Lavietes,
NBC news,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Why do some chocolate bars exhibit complex flavor notes like floral, caramel, and gentle woody, while others taste harsh, bitter, and astringent?—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
18 Oct. 2025
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Where rallies are taking place Nearly daily protests in metro Detroit this year have been observed as being peaceful, though sometimes Trump supporters and protesters exchange harsh words.—
Darcie Moran,
Freep.com,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Bertino’s chamber piece unfolds over one torturous night and will be exclusive to Paramount’s streaming platform following its world premiere at Fantastic Fest in September.—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
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The longtime actor and multi-faceted filmmaker crafts an unhinged, go-for-broke performance as a legendary quarterback putting his potential heir apparent (Tyriq Withers) through a psychologically torturous training camp.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Jewelry companies have begun raising the alarm over possible price increases afflicting already-weary consumers.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
7 Oct. 2025
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The bears’ behavior is also affected by climate change — for example, the megadrought currently afflicting this region.—
Ganesh Marín,
The Dial,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In Dahl’s original story, the Muggle-Wumps are clever and resourceful, using their smarts to turn the tables on their cruel captors.—
Jane LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
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On the page, these serve to paint him in a monstrous light following his abandonment by his egotistical and cruel creator, Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac).—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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For those who lack access to medical supervision, Kahler said, the safest course is to proceed with an agonizing level of caution.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
18 Oct. 2025
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This isn’t to say writer and director Mary Bronstein’s film, about the agonizing deterioration of a woman whose life is falling down around her in near-apocalyptic fashion, isn’t worth watching.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The former human-rights lawyer entered on a tourist visa and filed for political asylum in October of that year, claiming the governments that succeeded Correa were persecuting him.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
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For 25 years, Chavism has co-opted Venezuela's infrastructure for its own enrichment, persecuting journalists and opposition, wrecking the economy, and leaving its citizens in poverty.—
Kristina Foltz,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Harrowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harrowing. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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