HARROWING

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does harrowing mean? 

• HARROWING (adjective)
  The adjective HARROWING has 1 sense:

1. extremely painful

  Familiarity information: HARROWING used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• HARROWING (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Extremely painful

Synonyms:

agonising; agonizing; excruciating; harrowing; torturesome; torturing; torturous

Similar:

painful (causing physical or psychological pain)

 Context examples 

These occasions are becoming harrowing times for us all, for each sunrise and sunset opens up some new danger—some new pain, which, however, may in God's will be means to a good end.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

I was aware also that I should often lose all self-command, all capacity of hiding the harrowing sensations that would possess me during the progress of my unearthly occupation.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

But Mr. Dashwood rejected any but thrilling tales, and as thrills could not be produced except by harrowing up the souls of the readers, history and romance, land and sea, science and art, police records and lunatic asylums, had to be ransacked for the purpose.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

“Though harrowing to myself to mention, the alienation of Mr. Micawber (formerly so domesticated) from his wife and family, is the cause of my addressing my unhappy appeal to Mr. Traddles, and soliciting his best indulgence. Mr. T. can form no adequate idea of the change in Mr. Micawber's conduct, of his wildness, of his violence. It has gradually augmented, until it assumes the appearance of aberration of intellect. Scarcely a day passes, I assure Mr. Traddles, on which some paroxysm does not take place. Mr. T. will not require me to depict my feelings, when I inform him that I have become accustomed to hear Mr. Micawber assert that he has sold himself to the D. Mystery and secrecy have long been his principal characteristic, have long replaced unlimited confidence. The slightest provocation, even being asked if there is anything he would prefer for dinner, causes him to express a wish for a separation. Last night, on being childishly solicited for twopence, to buy “lemon-stunners”—a local sweetmeat—he presented an oyster-knife at the twins!

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Before we moved away Van Helsing said:—Now, my friends, one step of our work is done, one the most harrowing to ourselves.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Strange and harrowing must be his story, frightful the storm which embraced the gallant vessel on its course and wrecked it—thus!

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

I was a little inclined to take his seriousness lightly—for, after all, four days of rest and freedom from burning, harrowing anxiety does help to restore one's spirits—but when I saw his face, it sobered me.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Van Helsing ordered the former arrangement to be adhered to, explaining that, as Lord Godalming was coming very soon, it would be less harrowing to his feelings to see all that was left of his fiancée quite alone.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

And yet I couldn't believe that they would choose this occasion for a scene—especially for the rather harrowing scene that Gatsby had outlined in the garden.

(The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald)