1
as in painful
hard to accept or bear especially emotionally
a harrowing portrayal of the ravages of war
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of harrowing
Brady Brickner-Wood, Pitchfork, 6 May 2026
Although the situation is harrowing—and may remind travelers of the cruise ships that were quarantined during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic—officials say that the general public does not have cause for concern.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026
There are a few truly harrowing scenes of you confronting yourself.
—A.d. Amorosi, SPIN, 4 May 2026
The shine of this magic trick hasn’t worn off, and my favorite place to encounter it is in a truly harrowing adventure story.
—Dan Zak, The Atlantic, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for harrowing
Adjective
But Rashad renders even the most harrowing scenes with levity and warmth.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, Pitchfork, 6 May 2026
Although the situation is harrowing—and may remind travelers of the cruise ships that were quarantined during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic—officials say that the general public does not have cause for concern.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026
There are a few truly harrowing scenes of you confronting yourself.
—A.d. Amorosi, SPIN, 4 May 2026
The shine of this magic trick hasn’t worn off, and my favorite place to encounter it is in a truly harrowing adventure story.
—Dan Zak, The Atlantic, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for harrowing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harrowing
Adjective
-
His two more physical characters were delightful to watch, like a navy admiral addicted to spit takes, as well as a substitute teacher subjecting his students to painful dancing.—
Rima Parikh,
Vulture,
10 May 2026
-
The global outbreak of the coronavirus and its painful memories are very much at the forefront of peoples minds here in Tenerife, where local leaders have vehemently contested the disembarkation, and some of the local population has gathered in protest over the past few days.—
Vasco Cotovio,
CNN Money,
10 May 2026
Adjective
-
Another wrenching question, of course, is whether at least the younger Perez siblings would want or need to go with Olga to Guatemala if she were deported.—
Tim Padgett,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2026
-
These four novels create a convincing, wrenching, kaleidoscopic picture of the range and repetitions of the most fatal kind of love; the sort of love that allows nothing else to grow around it, that eradicates all dignity; a love which, in order to be completed, must be told.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
For example, funds could be used for road and tunnel construction to improve the flow of the river, addressing several public health issues plaguing the region.—
Susanne Rust
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
One day after teams of federal agents flooded the MacArthur Park area in a sweeping drug enforcement operation, the neighboring Langer's Deli owner and other community members spoke out on issues plaguing the area.—
Julie Sharp,
CBS News,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
The barren landscape, despite its harsh conditions (daytime temperatures often exceed 125 degrees Fahrenheit), was—and still is—famous for its connection to many legends of treasure.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
8 May 2026
-
Drivers may also experience smoother brake operation because the system avoids the harsh pedal pulsing commonly associated with older anti-lock braking systems.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
Sixteen months after leaving Wolves following a torturous end to a once-promising tenure, O’Neil has set about rebuilding his coaching career in the unlikely surroundings of France’s Ligue 1.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
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Activists claim the animals were living in torturous conditions and were being used for medical research.—
Brady Halbleib,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Never mind the economic turbulence afflicting the country and the world, driven most recently by rising gas prices because of the war in Iran.—
Stephen Hudak,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 May 2026
-
And so what was once out of bounds continued to move within the Pale, and a scourge went on afflicting politicians and groypers and, yes, comedians alike.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Its cruel and even lawless excesses have reverberated around the globe.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
9 May 2026
-
This is how cruel football can be.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
The kidnapping has been a highly public, agonizing ordeal for Savannah Guthrie, who only recently returned to her morning show seat alongside Craig Melvin.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
11 May 2026
-
Politicians are polling, strategizing — and agonizing.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Harrowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harrowing. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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