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
Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2025
Hamas releasing this harrowing video of hostage Evyatar David, looking painfully emaciated.
—ABC News, 3 Aug. 2025
Based on exhaustive research, the ambitious series revisits that harrowing moment through the eyes of those who endured it, capturing the deep and lasting scars borne by survivors and the families who, even today, continue their pursuit of justice.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 31 July 2025
One day, after hiking a local trail, Millie and Tim drink from a magical water source that triggers some harrowing side effects.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for harrowing
Adjective
The collection of solo and small-group performances in the Fringe Festival range from the hilarious to the harrowing.
—Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2025
Hamas releasing this harrowing video of hostage Evyatar David, looking painfully emaciated.
—ABC News, 3 Aug. 2025
Based on exhaustive research, the ambitious series revisits that harrowing moment through the eyes of those who endured it, capturing the deep and lasting scars borne by survivors and the families who, even today, continue their pursuit of justice.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 31 July 2025
One day, after hiking a local trail, Millie and Tim drink from a magical water source that triggers some harrowing side effects.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for harrowing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harrowing
Adjective
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Although the condition itself isn’t typically painful, raw or blistered skin can lead to pain and swelling.7 Secondary skin infections—like if a blister is exposed to bacteria and gets infected—can also cause painful symptoms.—
Sarah Bradley,
Health,
15 Aug. 2025
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Once tooth enamel is lost, the tooth nerves are exposed, which is painful and makes the teeth sensitive.—
Thomas Westerholm,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The report didn’t elaborate on that treatment but studies and surveys have previously highlighted the military’s notoriously harsh conditions.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
15 Aug. 2025
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After weeks of acrimony, concern and harsh statements, the dispute over who will control the River Forest Civic Center building at 8020 W. Madison seems to be headed toward a resolution.—
Bob Skolnik,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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How to make your hair look longer Trying to grow your hair fast can feel torturous, with no one walking the same path to longer lengths.—
Ana Morales,
Vogue,
23 July 2025
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The prospect of trying to cut open a stubborn 5-4-1 block in the Orlando heat could have become torturous quite quickly.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
28 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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That is a particularly egregious example of how the Trump Administration has been gratuitously cruel to the Sudanese.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
5 Aug. 2025
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Stacy, Tim’s wife, also died of pancreatic cancer five months later in February of 2024, a cruel hand for a family that for years had gone above and beyond in their efforts to raise money and awareness for cancer research.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The 15-centimeter-long fish died an agonizing death, impaled on a 10-centimeter-long belemnite.—
David Bressan,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
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Laura and Geoff tried to summarize the heights of Greg’s life — most tied to football — as well as his agonizing final 15 years.—
Christopher Kamrani,
New York Times,
24 July 2025
Adjective
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But a moment later, despite the excruciating pain and the loss of blood, her eyes brightened.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Aug. 2025
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Disputes often take an excruciating 45 to 90 days to resolve and can cause consumers to hate their credit card or debit card bank, at least temporarily.—
Jeff Kauflin,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The community’s response is intense: panicked and bereaved mothers and fathers turn on Justine, indirectly a victim herself; misguided outrage blinds them to the real menace operating unimpeded in their midst.—
Andy Crump,
Time,
9 Aug. 2025
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The race to claim the top seller on iTunes or dominate streaming platforms is intense, with pop, rock, and rap acts all aiming for No. 1 on those platforms.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Harrowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harrowing. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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