The meaning of HARROWING is acutely distressing or painful. How to use harrowing in a sentence.

HARROWING definition: extremely disturbing or distressing; grievous. See examples of harrowing used in a sentence.

/ ˈher.oʊ.ɪŋ / Add to word list extremely upsetting because connected with suffering: a harrowing story

A harrowing experience is extremely upsetting or disturbing. You've had a harrowing time this past month.

Definition of harrowing adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Dec 20, 2025 · Adjective harrowing (comparative more harrowing, superlative most harrowing) (formal) Causing pain or distress; harrying.

Harrowing refers to an experience that is extremely distressing, upsetting, disturbing, or frightening. It typically involves emotional pain or difficulty, and can significantly impact a person's mental or …

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025 har•row•ing (har′ ō ing), adj. extremely disturbing or distressing; grievous: a harrowing experience.

Extremely distressing; agonizing. A harrowing experience. Causing pain or distress. Present participle of harrow. The train crash was a harrowing experience for everyone involved. I don't think I could live …

The adjective harrowing is often used to describe a firsthand experience that is terrifying, such as a harrowing drive home in icy weather, but it can also refer to a secondhand experience, such as …