adj

harrowing

HA-roh-ihng

adj

Extremely distressing or disturbing.

"She gave a harrowing account of surviving the flood."

"The documentary includes harrowing footage from the war zone."

How to Use Harrowing

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDeeply upsetting, usually describing an experience, story, or scene.

Common pairings

harrowing experience harrowing account harrowing ordeal

more harrowing comparative, harrowings plural, most harrowing superlative

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She gave a _____ account of surviving the flood.

Formed from harrow plus -ing, from the older sense of harrow meaning "to torment."

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