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Synonyms

harrowing

American  
[har-oh-ing] / ˈhær oʊ ɪŋ /

adjective

  1. 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.

Mr. Page expresses such deep, despairing horror that, for a few minutes at least, this minor tragedy rises to heights of harrowing feeling.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Originally self-published last February, Shy Girl was described in its promotional material as a "buzzy BookTok sensation" and "a harrowing tale of survival and revenge" and well as being "bloody and unapologetic".

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

"I think it is important to support any means, any possibility, of not forgetting," added Gelber, who has shared his harrowing experiences with more than 1,000 schools and institutions.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

Burma has been in a brutal civil war, and for over seven decades, generations of refugees have been forced out, each fleeing their own harrowing chapter of persecution.

From Slate • Mar. 19, 2026

And maybe the dawns will be less harrowing in that country for which I shortly depart.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.