Word
harrowing
Phoneticshar·row·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈhɛɹoʊɪŋ/
UK/hˈæɹəʊɪŋ/
Definition
adj. extremely upsetting, scary, or painful to experience. It describes something that is very difficult to go through because it causes a lot of stress.
adj. acutely distressing or painful to the mind or feelings. Often used to describe traumatic events, journeys, or personal accounts.
Examples
“The survivors told a harrowing story of their escape.”
“The documentary provides a harrowing look at the lives of refugees crossing the desert in search of safety.”
“After a harrowing week lost in the wilderness without supplies, the hikers were finally spotted by a rescue helicopter just before sunset.”
Examples
simple
“The survivors told a harrowing story of their escape.”
contextual
“The documentary provides a harrowing look at the lives of refugees crossing the desert in search of safety.”
complex
“After a harrowing week lost in the wilderness without supplies, the hikers were finally spotted by a rescue helicopter just before sunset.”
Usage
Typically used as an attributive adjective before a noun like 'experience', 'tale', or 'ordeal'.
Real-World Examples
“We are so grateful to her Nepalese hiking partners who saw her through a harrowing several days of hiking in very difficult terrain, so thankful that they have all made it to safety.” “People shared harrowing stories of how they managed to survive.” Etymology
By surface analysis, harrow + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/harrowing