harrowing
|har-row-ing|
🇺🇸
/ˈhæroʊɪŋ/
🇬🇧
/ˈhærəʊɪŋ/
(harrow)
distress or farming tool
Etymology
'harrow' originates from Old English and other Germanic sources (related to Old Norse 'herja' meaning 'to raid, devastate'), where the root conveyed the idea of severe disturbance or ravaging.
'harrow' changed through Middle English forms such as 'harwen' or 'harowen' and eventually became the modern English verb and noun 'harrow' and its derivative adjective/gerund 'harrowing'.
Initially, it referred broadly to ravaging or laying waste (and the agricultural tool for breaking soil); over time it came to include the senses 'to distress or torment' and the adjective meaning 'extremely distressing'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the act of harrowing (e.g., breaking up or smoothing soil) or, less commonly, a harrowing experience — a severely distressing event.
The harrowing before sowing helped the seeds take root; the evacuation was a harrowing for the whole town.
Synonyms
Verb 1
present participle of 'harrow' — causing intense distress, tormenting, or upsetting.
The constant reminders were harrowing her, making it hard to concentrate.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 1
extremely distressing or traumatic; causing great distress or horror.
The survivors gave a harrowing account of the disaster.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/03 22:40