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

• afflicting
• agonizing
• bitter
• cruel
• excruciating
• galling
• grievous
• harsh
• heartrending
• hurtful
• painful
• tormenting
• 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

But desperate mother Laura (played with a harrowing intensity by Sally Hawkins) makes a pretty good one all on her own. —Megan McCluskey, Time, 30 May 2025

Given how the harrowing images and videos from Gaza are galvanizing world opinion, Mr. Levy predicted that Mr. Starmer might be forced to cast aside his cautious approach. —Mark Landler, New York Times, 29 May 2025

Jones shares the harrowing night his father lay listless on the floor in his home. —Chris Dorsey, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025

This came after Ellie's harrowing attempt to hunt down Abby, which resulted in the deaths of three of Abby's fellow Washington Liberation Front (W.L.F.) members: Nora (Tati Gabrielle), Mel (Ariela Barer) and Owen (Spencer Lord). —Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 26 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of harrow entry 3

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for harrowing

• narrowing