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

Wilson, 39, went on to detail the harrowing experience of his daughter’s birth. — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026

During his testimony, prosecutors played a harrowing seven-minute 911 call, which was not released to the public. — Leah Willingham, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026

Thieves have dealt a Sicilian museum a harrowing loss, stealing three of the five surviving devotional panels painted by Renaissance master Antonello da Messina. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Almost two weeks after a harrowing livestream at his Miami home, Perez Hilton is still hospitalized, according to a statement. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 17 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of harrow entry 3

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for harrowing

• narrowing