harrowing

1 of 2

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

harrowing

2 of 2

present participle of harrow entry 1, harrow entry 3

Synonyms of harrowing

Adjective

• painful
• harsh
• cruel
• torturous

Examples of harrowing in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

That single choice unleashes a harrowing chain of strange and terrifying events in the dead of night, turning a simple gesture of kindness into a real-life nightmare. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026

Smit Machchhar, the captain who was wounded during the FlyDubai attack this week, detailed his harrowing experience during a phone call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. — Rachel Chason, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026

The harrowing 1970 moonshot ended with the astronauts' safe return. — Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026

Authorities continue to unpack the details around the harrowing incident, many of which remain murky. — Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

from present participle of harrow entry 3

First Known Use

Adjective

1799, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for harrowing

• narrowing