Synonyms

harrowing

American

[har-oh-ing] / ˈhær oʊ ɪŋ /

adjective

extremely disturbing or distressing; grievous.

a harrowing experience.

Synonyms:

heartbreaking, agonizing, painful

Other Word Forms

harrowingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of harrowing

First recorded in 1800–10; harrow ¹ + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In 2024, Labour MP Anna McMorrin told Parliament that a constituent "had all her counselling records used against her in a harrowing trial that she said was worse than the crime itself".

From BBC

There, people recounted their harrowing evacuation stories, unsure of whether their home survived, unsure of when or if they’d be able to return.

From Los Angeles Times

The film is essentially a three-hander, Teddy going to harrowing extremes to force Michelle to confess, with poor, loyal Don caught in the middle.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite the harrowing theme, Ms Yoon is determined to explore the fullness of Joo-in's life, whose name means "owner" or "master" in Korean, alluding to the autonomy Ms Yoon envisioned for her character.

From BBC

This creates a compelling and at times harrowing narrative, even as it leaves some broader legal and political questions unanswered.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023