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

Now 61, Fann goes in depth on the harrowing attack at the hands of the infamous Cook brothers on the newest episode of People Magazine Investigates: Surviving a Serial KIller. —Kc Baker, Peoplemag, 8 June 2024

And many of them have harrowing, even devastating experiences with reproductive health care. —Longreads, 7 June 2024

Advertisement A week ago on the southern route, a harrowing human traffic jam left dozens of climbers shuffling in single file along a narrow ridge just below the summit — a pileup that turned deadly when a snow cornice collapsed beneath their feet. —Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2024

The subplots of Mother and Father Mortara’s impassioned efforts to reclaim their child are harrowing, contrasted with the discipline of his new father. —Armond White, National Review, 31 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of harrow entry 3

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined above