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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of harrowing
Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 3 July 2025
That group, made up of 17 high school students and two staff chaperones, landed back home at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on June 25, ending a harrowing period that included hiding in Israeli bomb shelters as war tensions reached a boil.
—Ronald J. Hansen, AZCentral.com, 3 July 2025
Dozens of people were treated for hypothermia after harrowing boat rides through the perilous conditions.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025
The takes often run very long; the resulting continuities of space and time unfold the choreographic splendor of the bullfighter’s work and convey a harrowing sense of no exit from the field of battle.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for harrowing
Adjective
Critics flooded Elektra’s comments accusing her of disrespecting her late best friend and undermining the harrowing testimony of Cassie Ventura, who accused him of abuse during their decade-long relationship.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 3 July 2025
That group, made up of 17 high school students and two staff chaperones, landed back home at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on June 25, ending a harrowing period that included hiding in Israeli bomb shelters as war tensions reached a boil.
—Ronald J. Hansen, AZCentral.com, 3 July 2025
Dozens of people were treated for hypothermia after harrowing boat rides through the perilous conditions.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025
The takes often run very long; the resulting continuities of space and time unfold the choreographic splendor of the bullfighter’s work and convey a harrowing sense of no exit from the field of battle.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for harrowing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harrowing
Adjective
-
Deciding where to manufacture your product is one of the most painful questions today.—
Alex Gudilko,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
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On the Blue Devils’ flight home from San Antonio, there Scheyer was: digesting the game tape, reliving the most painful defeat he’s suffered in three seasons coaching his alma mater.—
Brendan Marks,
New York Times,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
Unlike harsher retinoids, this one is gentle enough for sensitive skin.—
Simon Hill,
Wired News,
10 July 2025
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The biggest change was the introduction of the punitive second apron, which imposed harsh team-building restrictions on teams that crossed said line.—
Bryan Toporek,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
Teddi Mellencamp has finally emerged on the healthy side of a torturous, years-long battle with cancer.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
9 July 2025
-
Working out was a chore or—even worse—torturous penance for failing to become the impossible ever-shrinking woman.—
Julie Beck,
The Atlantic,
3 July 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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Politics remains a cruel business and the governor has been on the frontline of it for nearly 20 years, winning and losing.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
5 July 2025
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They were joined by actors playing the contestants, who lurched along wearing expressions of exaggerated horror, as though the cruel stakes of the game had just been revealed to them.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 July 2025
Adjective
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And to cope with the agonizing pain of childbirth, Victoria enthusiastically embraced chloroform.—
Sam Kelly,
Time,
8 July 2025
-
The New York Yankees, who won the 2024 American League pennant before losing a five-game Fall Classic to the Los Angeles Dodgers, fell out of first place on Independence Day weekend as an agonizing slump seemed to grip the entire team.—
Dan Schlossberg,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
Adjective
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Simon’s excruciating back pain previously forced him to cancel his June 27 and 28 shows in Philadelphia.—
Rachel Flynn,
People.com,
3 July 2025
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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
Adjective
-
Anybody who thought Messi would rest after the intense international tournament does not know Messi.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
6 July 2025
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During the 1995 heat wave, many of the casualties were seniors who didn’t have family or neighbors to check in on them, especially those living in high-rise buildings where the heat was particularly intense.—
Adriana Pérez,
Chicago Tribune,
6 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Harrowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harrowing. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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