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
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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of harrowing
Kelsey Lentz, People.com, 20 Oct. 2024
While these necessities are the focus of restoration efforts, the trauma associated with loss, grief and harrowing experiences of survival could affect residents for years to come.
—Zulekha Nathoo, USA TODAY, 2 Nov. 2024
After their harrowing journey, Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion finally reach the Wizard’s castle, only to be confronted by a huge, terrifying green face: the All-Powerful Oz.
—Dan Bekerman, Deadline, 1 Nov. 2024
Megan recalls the harrowing experience of having to pull the plug after her mother lost brain activity.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for harrowing 
Adjective
The film takes place in 2019, nine years after Josh’s harrowing possession, and a lot has changed for the family.
—Kelsey Lentz, People.com, 20 Oct. 2024
While these necessities are the focus of restoration efforts, the trauma associated with loss, grief and harrowing experiences of survival could affect residents for years to come.
—Zulekha Nathoo, USA TODAY, 2 Nov. 2024
After their harrowing journey, Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion finally reach the Wizard’s castle, only to be confronted by a huge, terrifying green face: the All-Powerful Oz.
—Dan Bekerman, Deadline, 1 Nov. 2024
Megan recalls the harrowing experience of having to pull the plug after her mother lost brain activity.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for harrowing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harrowing
Adjective
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This lightweight trail runner is designed to slide on like a sock, eliminating painful pressure points and decreasing the possibility of blisters.Emily Pennington, Outside Online, 15 Nov. 2024
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These punishments are especially painful since North Korea’s economy has been severely strained by international sanctions, the COVID-19 pandemic, and economic mismanagement.Sungmin Cho, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Trump has promised to enact a new fiscal and economic regime, including harsh tariffs that some economists fear could have inflationary effects.Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
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November is here, and with its arrival comes cooler, harsher weather.Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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According to the political scientist Pierre Englebert, the Congolese government and people lose as much as $4 billion in revenue every year due to state agents’ manipulation of mining contracts and payments, torturous budget practices, and outright theft.Stephen R. Weissman, Foreign Affairs, 8 June 2015
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The right boots, however, can make previously torturous bell-to-bell days no big deal.Drew Zieff, Outside Online, 9 Oct. 2024
Verb
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Whatever's afflicting you out there, in here the coffee is always hot, the fries are always crispy and the ranch dip is always free.Tyler Buchanan, Axios, 18 Oct. 2024
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Something is genuinely off about the goings-on at the conference, from strange deaths and elevators that suddenly aren’t elevators, to a rash of scabby infections afflicting guests and the discovery of a subterranean tunnel.Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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This soaring exploration of generational trauma starts with Star, a survivor of the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre, who’s forced to speak English and practice Christianity by the man who goes on to found the notoriously cruel Carlisle Indian Industrial School.Lizz Schumer, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
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But at times, there’s a defensive, slightly cruel streak to his patter that can eclipse his better angels (of which there are many) and test the goodwill of those around him.Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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These decisions are already inherently agonizing in and of themselves, only to be compounded by the uncertainty of what will and will not be covered by insurance.Renee Hsia, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
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Navigating long-term health care for older adults is an agonizing challenge faced by millions of people across the U.S.Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Marking its 70th anniversary in 2023, Buchinger Wilhelmi in Überlingen, Germany, was the brainchild of a clean-living German naval doctor, Otto Buchinger (1878-1966), whose career was cut short by excruciating rheumatism.Bill Prince, theweek, 7 Nov. 2024
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Helene's toll: Hurricane among the deadliest since 1950 The cost in dollars: Hurricane season will cost over $100B Women online are warning each other about painful procedures Kerry Schwartz suffered excruciating pain during a gynecological biopsy to have a fibroid removed.John Riley, USA TODAY, 2 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The vote came amid a moment of intense political debate about inflation.Grant Stringer, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
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People with conditions like diabetes may take taurine supplements daily for extended periods, while one-time doses of taurine may be helpful before an intense workout or athletic competition.Jillian Kubala, RD, Health, 5 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near harrowing
Cite this Entry
“Harrowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harrowing. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
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