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

Duffy, the Welsh singer who was abducted, held captive for weeks, and raped, leading to her retreat from the public eye, will give her account of the harrowing ordeal in a new Hulu Original documentary for Disney+. —Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 25 Mar. 2026

That pack loyalty appeared to be what kept them united through their harrowing escape and long walk home. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026

Each envelope held a harrowing narrative, some in polite, looping script, some in block letters. —Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026

Approved therapies aren’t cleared for use in kids, and Morales had to go through a harrowing journey to secure off-label treatment for her child. —Jonathan Wosen, STAT, 23 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of harrow entry 3

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for harrowing

• narrowing