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
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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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Recent Examples of harrowing
Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 2 Jan. 2025
Sam Mendes directs a visceral recounting of a personal story told to him by his grandfather about his time in World War I, allowing the harrowing journey of a British soldier (George MacKay) to unfold in one unforgettable, unbroken shot.
1917
watch on netflix
Baby Driver.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2025
Rasoulof’s story is harrowing, and the movie works as an urgent political thriller, a blunt domestic drama and a document of state brutality.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024
The show, with soulful life-affirming music and lyrics by the Avett Brothers tells the story of a crew of sailors on a longtime whaling expedition who are placed in the most harrowing circumstances.
—Jeryl Brunner, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for harrowing 
Adjective
Watch on Deadline Whitehead’s novel follows the friendship between two young Black teenagers navigating the harrowing trials of reform school together in Jim Crow Florida.
—Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 2 Jan. 2025
Sam Mendes directs a visceral recounting of a personal story told to him by his grandfather about his time in World War I, allowing the harrowing journey of a British soldier (George MacKay) to unfold in one unforgettable, unbroken shot.
1917
watch on netflix
Baby Driver.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2025
Rasoulof’s story is harrowing, and the movie works as an urgent political thriller, a blunt domestic drama and a document of state brutality.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024
The show, with soulful life-affirming music and lyrics by the Avett Brothers tells the story of a crew of sailors on a longtime whaling expedition who are placed in the most harrowing circumstances.
—Jeryl Brunner, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for harrowing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harrowing
Adjective
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The camera stays close, capturing painful moments (Jaouad in the hospital), sweetness (exchanging wedding rings made of green twist ties), and most of all, Batiste's incredible passion.Debby Wolfinsohn, EW.com, 11 Jan. 2025
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Despite the painful setback, Strowman powered through the match and emerged victorious, solidifying his reputation for resilience.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Soviet scientists at the time believed that strays, given that they were already accustomed to harsh conditions, would be better suited to the extreme environments of space.Scott Travers, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
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Advocates and relatives describe harsh conditions in immigration detention.Dake Kang and Huizhong Wu, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Editor’s picks ‘Brutal beatings’ Cooper and hundreds of Dozier students accused school wardens of torturous abuse over minor infractions, like whippings, beatings, forced labor, and medical neglect.CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 15 Dec. 2024
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Minuscule, meticulous, torturous, and incomprehensible to most mortals.Jean-Philippe Toussaint, Harper's Magazine, 22 July 2024
Verb
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An audacious plan In the mid-1980s, global health agencies were otherwise occupied and heads of state largely overlooked the illness afflicting millions of their citizens.Sam Mednick, Chicago Tribune, 30 Dec. 2024
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The United States now suffers from twin pathologies—one afflicting the health of its citizens and the other the health of its political system.Thomas J. Bollyky, Foreign Affairs, 30 Jan. 2020
Adjective
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Shahana Goswami plays the lead role of a widow who lands the job of a cop due to life’s cruel twists.Sweta Kaushal, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
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In a cruel irony, revelers had gathered to welcome a new beginning.Matthew Continetti, National Review, 4 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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No one wants to leave as the agonizing identification process takes place.Beomsu Jo, NBC News, 31 Dec. 2024
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Despite timely access to treatment often being critical to recovery, new patients in the U.S. face an agonizing 26-day wait to see a physician on average.Max Votek, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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When the Carter Center began eradication efforts against Guinea worm disease in 1986, about 3.5 million people across 21 countries were afflicted with the excruciating condition.Bill Marsh, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024
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Bieber threw 12 shutout innings in his first two starts and struck out 20, but excruciating pain in both starts left him with no choice.Jason Lloyd, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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In 2021, a storm killed over 240 people and left millions of residents without power sparking intense backlash for ERCOT.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
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Flames were pushed by intense wind gusts that officials had warned could fuel any spark into a fast-moving and erratic wildfire.Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near harrowing
Cite this Entry
“Harrowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harrowing. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.
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