harrowing

1 of 2

adjective

har·​row·​ing ˈher-ə-wiŋ How to pronounce harrowing (audio)
ˈha-rə-
Synonyms of harrowing
: acutely distressing or painful
a harrowing experience
Mr. Wu's work in a coal mine was particularly harrowing.—Charles Horner
harrowingly adverb

harrowing

2 of 2

present participle of harrow entry 1, harrow entry 3

Synonyms of harrowing

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Adjective

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Examples of harrowing in a Sentence

Adjective a harrowing portrayal of the ravages of war the harrowing amputations without any anesthetic that soldiers and sailors once were forced to endure
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Adjective
Welcome back to the Times of Troy newsletter, where I am thrilled to be writing to you today after a harrowing couple of weeks at the Kartje household. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 Everyone made it out of the shoot unharmed, but the finished product is filled with harrowing set-pieces that are sure to push audiences to the brink. — William Earl, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026 Some of the book’s most harrowing parts deal with the deportation of the Segre family from Venice. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026 Police also revealed a school staff member threw a cellphone and tackled the attacker during the harrowing incident. — Brie Stimson , Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for harrowing

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

from present participle of harrow entry 3

First Known Use

Adjective

1799, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of harrowing was in 1799

Rhymes for harrowing

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Browse Nearby Words

harrower
harrowing
harrow-plow
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Cite this Entry

“Harrowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/harrowing. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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