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
Charles Horner
harrowingly
adverb
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
Written and directed by Barker, the film follows the harrowing plight of Bear (Johnston), a music store employee who has an enormous crush on his co-worker Nikki (Navarrette).
—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
His lament mirrored the anguish of legions of Venezuelans who endured harrowing days clearing rubble by hand before crews with heavy equipment and rescue dogs belatedly arrived.
—
Mery Mogollón,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2026
Dreams dashed Watching Lizzo’s re-emergence has been harrowing for the three plaintiffs.
—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
29 June 2026
In this harrowing novel, two families pass long, uncertain hours in the waiting rooms of a Manhattan hospital.
—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for harrowing
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Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
His lament mirrored the anguish of legions of Venezuelans who endured harrowing days clearing rubble by hand before crews with heavy equipment and rescue dogs belatedly arrived.
—
Mery Mogollón,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2026
Dreams dashed Watching Lizzo’s re-emergence has been harrowing for the three plaintiffs.
—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
29 June 2026
In this harrowing novel, two families pass long, uncertain hours in the waiting rooms of a Manhattan hospital.
—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for harrowing
Cite this Entry
“Harrowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/harrowing. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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