harrows

Tills and distresses

Harrows are farm implements with heavy frames set with spikes or disks, dragged over plowed land to break up clods and smooth the soil.

The verb harrow means to work soil this way, but its figurative use dominates: to harrow is to distress or torment deeply.

A harrowing experience causes intense anguish.

The film's harrowing depiction of war left audiences shaken.

tillage

plow

Tool for turning soil

tillRegister drawer for money
furrowNarrow trench in earth
cultivateGrow or develop purposefully

disc · drag · scarify · break · turn · aerate · pulverize · prepare · seedbed · tractor

torment

distress

Severe anxiety or suffering

anguishIntense mental suffering
tormentSevere prolonged suffering
traumaLasting psychological wound

suffering · pain · grief · sorrow · agony · heartache · misery · despair · woe · desolation

disturb

distress

Severe anxiety or suffering

unsettleCause unease or anxiety
troubleDifficulty or distress
disquietMental unrest or agitation

perturb · alarm · agitate · dismay · unnerve · discompose · disconcert · shake · rattle · faze

Categories

farm equipmenttractor, tractors, plow, plows, plough
tillage toolsplow, cultivator, tiller, hoe, rototiller
farmingfarm, farms, farmer, farmers, crop

Opposites

soil preparation sequence

harrowsplows

Soil-turning implements

ploughs · tillers · seeders · planters · combines

soil action

harrowsrollers

Rotating cylindrical movers

compactors · packers

emotional effect

harrowssoothes

Gently relieves distress

comforts · calms · consoles · reassures · eases

Phrases

harrowing escapeDistressing, barely-successful flee

Family

harrow, harrowing, harrowed, harrowingly

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G