harrowing
Adjective
Medium difficulty
What does “harrowing” mean?
adjective.acutely distressing.
SAT Usage
this term often appears in passages related to personal struggle, trauma, or intense emotional experiences. It emphasizes a profound level of distress, suggesting not just discomfort but a deeply unsettling or traumatic ordeal, distinguishing it from milder terms like "troubling" or "unpleasant."
Common Confusions
Harrowing implies an intense, traumatic distress, while troubling usually suggests a milder, less severe discomfort or concern.
Do not choose harrowing if the context emphasizes excitement or thrill rather than being acutely distressing.
Example Sentences
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The survivors recounted a harrowing ordeal of three days without shelter.