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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of harrowing
Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 23 June 2025
Heavy themes and a harrowing story Death Stranding 2’s more refined gameplay experience stands in contrast to a story that’s extremely gutsy, topical, and sometimes nauseatingly self-referential.
—Hayes Madsen, Rolling Stone, 23 June 2025
At first, the hunt goes well, but complications and harrowing situations with the infected force Jamie and Jimmy to stay a bit longer on the mainland, where some of its mysteries begin to pique Spike’s interest.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
Despite their intimidating monikers—one was called Eat Rocks and Bleed—the experience was far more exhilarating than harrowing.
—David Amsden, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for harrowing
Adjective
A day on the water for a father and daughter turned into a harrowing rescue in Louisiana.
—Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 23 June 2025
Heavy themes and a harrowing story Death Stranding 2’s more refined gameplay experience stands in contrast to a story that’s extremely gutsy, topical, and sometimes nauseatingly self-referential.
—Hayes Madsen, Rolling Stone, 23 June 2025
At first, the hunt goes well, but complications and harrowing situations with the infected force Jamie and Jimmy to stay a bit longer on the mainland, where some of its mysteries begin to pique Spike’s interest.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
Despite their intimidating monikers—one was called Eat Rocks and Bleed—the experience was far more exhilarating than harrowing.
—David Amsden, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for harrowing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harrowing
Adjective
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Their venom, similar to a bee’s or wasp’s, results in a painful, itchy pustule or blister on the skin.—
Gareth McGrath,
USA Today,
28 June 2025
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Once Schaefer’s emotional moment was done, the rest of the conversations ranged from mildly awkward to borderline painful.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
Adjective
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Come spring, the Ranger III carries everything from outhouses and diesel fuel for the generators to construction supplies to repair whatever damage Mother Nature did to facilities over the harsh winter.—
Diana Lambdin Meyer,
USA Today,
28 June 2025
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The United States and Europe must finally sever all economic ties with Russia (e.g., nuclear partnerships) and impose harsher sanctions on Russia and secondary sanctions so that China and others face consequences for their support of the war.—
Laura Thornton,
Twin Cities,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
Atletico only made three interceptions (PSG had 12), which was partly Diego Simeone’s game plan, but also proof of just how torturous PSG are to defend against.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
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Included in that torturous run was a 24-game losing streak.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
1 June 2025
Verb
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That’s changing this year, as three Democratic governors announced new initiatives aimed at addressing disparities afflicting boys and men.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
25 Mar. 2025
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One key focus of these efforts should address the deficiencies afflicting the market for biologics, which are medicines made or derived from biological processes.—
Wayne Winegarden,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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What is a totalitarian leader other than an individualist taking that creed to its cruel conclusions, erasing the uniqueness of every other person into mere characters in a drama?—
Ed Simon
June 23,
Literary Hub,
23 June 2025
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This realization reconfigures the entire book, recasting their ongoing dialogue and seemingly cordial relations as an interstellar jail—and the novel itself into an extended, especially cruel prison sentence.—
Robert Rubsam,
The Atlantic,
21 June 2025
Adjective
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Watching Spencer unravel and knowing Toby was playing this double agent game was agonizing.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
20 June 2025
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As recognition of Bechdel’s talents grew, her methods became more laborious, her subject matter more agonizing.—
Charlie Tyson,
New Yorker,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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After cutting edge surgery Angela Sutphin is without excruciating pain in her right arm and can get a full night’s sleep.—
Pamela McLoughlin,
Hartford Courant,
20 June 2025
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The disease, which has no cure, is known to cause excruciating pain and fatigue, and can lead to serious complications, including strokes, lung problems and organ damage.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
19 June 2025
Adjective
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Moster has long been a target of intense scorn in the Orthodox world.—
Asaf Elia-Shalev,
Sun Sentinel,
24 June 2025
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Beijing is also working to draw Europe closer as the continent faces intense pressure from Washington; for example, China has lifted sanctions on members of the European Parliament and dangled other concessions ahead of an EU-Chinese summit scheduled for July 2025.—
Oriana Skylar Mastro,
Foreign Affairs,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Harrowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harrowing. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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