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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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
In the days that followed, Iran International broadcast harrowing testimony from survivors who spoke about the violence. — Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026 Heat president Pat Riley has long believed the teams with championship aspirations need older veterans around their core, players with the savviness, mettle and experience to thrive during harrowing postseason moments. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 23 Aug. 2026 Written and directed by Nolan, The Odyssey stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, the Greek king of Ithaca, on his harrowing, years-long journey home after the Trojan War. — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 Wilson, 39, went on to detail the harrowing experience of his daughter’s birth. — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 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
  • Be sure to start below the injury and wrap upward, overlapping each layer but never so tightly that fingers or toes become numb or painful.
    — Dr. Jill Grimes, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Its absence does not make the eventual adjustment less painful.
    — MICHAEL PETTIS, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of painful
Adjective
  • Prosecutors plan to seek a two-year extension at an April hearing, and the families of both victims delivered wrenching impact statements in court.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Bono penned a wrenching tribute to Hansard on the day of his death.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of wrenching
Verb
  • And in contrast to most brands, Essence Cosmetics and Catrice revealed at the beginning of this year that despite the tariffs plaguing all industries, the company would not be raising prices.
    — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026
  • This is a snapshot of the current WNBA experience—unprecedented growth and great basketball at risk of being swallowed up by the same culture wars plaguing the broader political landscape.
    — Jemele Hill, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of plaguing
Adjective
  • Scott London Every year, Black Rock City appears on a dry lakebed in one of Nevada’s harshest areas, then disappears just as fast.
    — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Hig has bunkered down with a grouchy companion, Bangley (Josh Brolin), who thrives in this harsh world.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of harsh
Adjective
  • But, for the figures on the other end of the camera, the violation is often described as torturous.
    — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026
  • San Francisco has found many odd, obscure and torturous ways to lose this season.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of torturous
Verb
  • That constraint contributes to the housing crises afflicting these seasonal recreation areas.
    — Nancy Forster-Holt, The Conversation, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Health advocates consider an official definition of ultraprocessed food a key step toward bringing greater scrutiny to meals that are blamed for multiple chronic health problems afflicting Americans.
    — Matthew Perrone, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of afflicting
Adjective
  • Having Sheridan actually be a cruel person was one of the key audience expectations the writer-director hoped to flip in the pursuit of laughs.
    — William Earl, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026
  • But Triage does have a moment in which an ember of the old cruel optimism flickers.
    — Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of cruel
Adjective
  • Others are stretched across agonizing stretches of silence while Barrett lets an audience stare into the darkness and imagine every horrible possibility before finally springing the trap.
    — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Damage to the remains could complicate evidence The discovery of human remains that set off a firestorm of questions about a possible link to Guthrie developed during an agonizing, monthslong search for the beloved mother.
    — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of agonizing

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Cite this Entry

“Harrowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harrowing. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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