harrowing 1 of 2

adjective

ˈher-ə-wiŋ How to pronounce harrowing (audio)
Definition of harrowingnext
1
as in painful
hard to accept or bear especially emotionally a harrowing portrayal of the ravages of war

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2
as in wrenching
intensely or unbearably painful the harrowing amputations without any anesthetic that soldiers and sailors once were forced to endure

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harrowing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of harrow
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

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 harrowing
Adjective
Continue reading … BOLT FROM ABOVE — Couple recounts 'miraculous' rescue after surviving harrowing lightning strike during evening stroll. — FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026 How else would Boyle set up the harrowing — and very clever — sequence in which Airi has to wake herself up before an evil force traps her in the spirit world forever? — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 23 Sep. 2026 At Weinstein’s first trial in 2020, Haley gave harrowing testimony that Weinstein held her down on a bed at his Manhattan apartment and forcibly performed oral sex on her in 2006. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2026 As part of Patrick’s testimony, his harrowing 911 call the night of the incident was also played in court, but was not broadcast, in accordance with a court order. — Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for harrowing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harrowing
  1. painful
  2. wrenching
  3. plaguing
  4. harsh
  5. torturous
  6. afflicting
  7. cruel
  8. agonizing
Adjective
  • After the Great Depression, school districts revisited the idea during the energy crisis of the 1970s, following the 1973 Arab oil embargo and the painful years of stagflation that followed.
    — Muskaan Arshad, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Continue reading … -- IN OTHER NEWS HIDDEN ILLNESS — Country star reveals the painful symptom that led to cancer diagnosis.
    — , FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of painful
Adjective
  • After a quiet episode focused on Hal Jordan’s passing, Lanterns’s penultimate chapter deepens the mystery in surprising and wrenching ways.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The wrenching, heartbreaking testimony echoed through the Congressional hearing room, pulling listeners back to the raw moments of January when Good and Alex Pretti were killed.
    — WCCO Staff, CBS News, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of wrenching
Verb
  • That is the question plaguing university leaders across the country, and nowhere is the debate raging more fiercely these days than at the University of California.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Warren’s attempt to suppress the procession exemplifies the sort of religious prejudices plaguing Italian communities during that period.
    — Clare Whitton, The Conversation, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of plaguing
Adjective
  • The European Commission has set an October deadline for progress in the negotiations, as France and Germany push for harsher measures.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Dehydrated skin is typically caused by dry air, harsh skin care, or the weather.
    — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of harsh
Adjective
  • The forensic pathologist who performed the autopsy on Alberto Sierra’s estranged wife and her two young daughters detailed on Friday their torturous final moments, testifying during Sierra’s death penalty trial.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
  • In a wartorn country where air travel is too perilous to even consider, the roads are the obvious option, but are jammed, precarious, and cursed with long, torturous border queues.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of torturous
Verb
  • Singh and Jaggseer, like Beyoncé and Lil Nas X before them, highlight an identity crisis afflicting modern country music.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The work continues and the Frates family has maintained the passion that Pete instilled in them in fighting the disease that is still afflicting far too many people.
    — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of afflicting
Adjective
  • In the book, MacLachlan recalls being utterly dumbfounded at having been asked to do something so oblivious at best and cruel at worst.
    — Rachel Brodsky, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Many of them, including Ned and his childhood friend and rival, Roland, are scarred by their time as youth players, haunted by memories of the sadistic coaches and cruel, competitive fathers who terrorized them both on and off the court.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of cruel
Adjective
  • Cathy sets her family home ablaze to fake her own death and leave town; her parents suffer agonizing deaths in that fire.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Hamilton’s challenge to Marshall has generated national attention as Republicans prepare for a potentially agonizing midterm election.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of agonizing

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harrowing
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Cite this Entry

“Harrowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harrowing. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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