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
Charles Horner
harrowingly
adverb
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
Pam Bennett, 68, was snorkeling 50 meters offshore at Treasure Cove on the southern Yorke Peninsula when a stingray struck her, piercing her arm with a 6-inch barb in a harrowing attack, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported.
—Escher Walcott, People.com, 7 May 2025
Through this harrowing period, Holiday applied the same methodical determination that characterized her playing career.
—Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
Over the past few weeks, individuals from across the state have protested votes in the House, held rallies on the Capitol steps and shared harrowing stories about losing access to reproductive care in the Capitol rotunda.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 5 May 2025
Both this and a later, harrowing scene of Isaac interrogating a Seraphite are new additions that are not from the game, greatly expanding audiences’ exposure to Isaac.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for harrowing
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Escher Walcott, People.com, 7 May 2025
Through this harrowing period, Holiday applied the same methodical determination that characterized her playing career.
—Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
Over the past few weeks, individuals from across the state have protested votes in the House, held rallies on the Capitol steps and shared harrowing stories about losing access to reproductive care in the Capitol rotunda.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 5 May 2025
Both this and a later, harrowing scene of Isaac interrogating a Seraphite are new additions that are not from the game, greatly expanding audiences’ exposure to Isaac.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for harrowing
Cite this Entry
“Harrowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/harrowing. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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