harrowing

adjective

har·​row·​ing ˈher-ə-wiŋ 

ˈha-rə-

: acutely distressing or painful

a harrowing experience

Mr. Wu's work in a coal mine was particularly harrowing.

—Charles Horner

harrowingly adverb

Synonyms of harrowing

• painful
• harsh
• cruel
• torturous

Examples of harrowing in a Sentence

a harrowing portrayal of the ravages of war

the harrowing amputations without any anesthetic that soldiers and sailors once were forced to endure

Recent Examples on the Web

After a terrifying bison attack at Yellowstone National Park left Carl Isom-McDaniel with a broken leg, the grandfather from Kendall, Washington is speaking out about the harrowing experience. — Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026

The eruption unfolded in five phases over about 24 hours, a harrowing, cumulative ordeal for unsuspecting residents. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 20 July 2026

Believing the Trojan Horse to be a peace offering, the officers drag the hollow figure inside the city walls and place it outside the Temple of Athena, which leads to Troy’s harrowing downfall hours later. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 19 July 2026

Emerging victorious from the Trojan War, Odysseus embarks on a harrowing, years-long trek home to reunite with Queen Penelope (Anne Hathaway) and their son, Prince Telemachus (Tom Holland). — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of harrow entry 3

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for harrowing

• narrowing