HARROWING Synonyms: 152 Similar and Opposite Words

harrowing 1 of 2

adjective

ˈher-ə-wiŋ

Definition of harrowing

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

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

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

In July 1755, a 23-year-old Washington escaped a harrowing death at the Battle of the Monongahela. — Lauren Green, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026 As The Traitors' host, Cumming oversees a hodgepodge of reality stars and C-list celebrities who partake in a series of challenges ranging from goofy to downright harrowing — that season 2 cabin of maggots! — Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026 The long-frustrated English squad lends additional intrigue to the July 5 primetime match, as the Three Lions prepare to return to the site of a harrowing loss to Argentina 40 years ago. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 2 July 2026 Released in theaters on May 15, Obsession follows the harrowing path of Bear (Johnston), a lovelorn music store employee who has a hopeless crush on his co-worker, Nikki (Navarrette). — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for harrowing

Recent Examples of Synonyms for harrowing

Adjective

And that says something painful about what my country has become, and my place in it.

— Dawn M. Turner, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
For thousands of Venezuelans, however, the absence of definitive answers has become one of the tragedy’s most painful consequences.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026

Definition of painful

Adjective

His most wrenching scene, when Stagg receives a devastating personal call but cannot react amid the intense geopolitical stakes, captured this tension.

— David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 26 May 2026
Another wrenching question, of course, is whether at least the younger Perez siblings would want or need to go with Olga to Guatemala if she were deported.

— Tim Padgett, Sun Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026

Definition of wrenching

Adjective

White settlers and frontier pioneers built vast, fenceless cattle stations, battling harsh environments and disease, embracing a hard-living culture that exists to this day.

— Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Dish Soap Using harsh chemicals on the outside of your toilet bowl and fixtures is not recommended, according to Meagher.

— Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 4 July 2026

Definition of harsh

Adjective

In theaters July 17, The Odyssey tells the story of Greek hero Odysseus’ long, torturous and fantastical trip home from the Trojan War, back to the Kingdom of Ithaca to save his wife and son.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 6 July 2026
As part of her job, Angèle needs to daub makeup on the models’ feet, blistered from the torturous heels they’re forced to wear.

— Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 26 June 2026

Definition of torturous

Verb

Cholera, a waterborne bacterial disease, has unleashed a perilous wave across southern Africa, with active outbreaks currently afflicting five countries in southern and central Africa.

— John Drake, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Never mind the economic turbulence afflicting the country and the world, driven most recently by rising gas prices because of the war in Iran.

— Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 May 2026

Definition of afflicting

Adjective

The heat has become so unbearable in Japan that weather officials in April announced a new term for days when maximum temperatures exceed 104 degrees — kokushobi, meaning harsh or cruel heat, according to the Japan Times.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
For thousands of Venezuelans, however, the lack of definitive answers has become one of the tragedy’s cruelest consequences.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026

Definition of cruel

Adjective

Claus trudged to the monitor, watched the foul on an agonizing loop and promptly handed Balogun a red card.

— Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 2 July 2026
In the final minute of stoppage time Cape Verde missed an agonizing last second shot but still claimed a point!

— Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 27 June 2026

Definition of agonizing

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“Harrowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harrowing. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of harrowing

adjective

verb

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