harrowing
Pronunciation: adjective. Synonyms: traumatic, excruciating, agonizing
adjective
Definition of harrowing
causing pain or distress
Synonyms for harrowing
- traumatic
- excruciating
- agonizing
harrowing in a Sentence
- The harrowing tale of survival left the audience speechless.
Why harrowing Matters for GRE & SAT
"harrowing" is a adjective that means "causing pain or distress" closely related to words like "traumatic", "excruciating", "agonizing". As a word starting with H, it belongs to a cluster of GRE and SAT vocabulary that test-takers often encounter in Verbal Reasoning, Text Completion, and Reading Comprehension sections.
On the GRE, understanding "harrowing" helps you distinguish between closely related answer choices in Sentence Equivalence questions. On the SAT, recognizing this word in context strengthens your performance on Craft & Structure and Words in Context questions. Seeing how "harrowing" is used in sentences — like the examples above — builds the contextual understanding that standardized tests reward.
Study tip: Start with the definition and part of speech (adjective). Then learn its 3 synonyms to build a word network. Finally, practice with spaced repetition to move "harrowing" into long-term memory.
How to Remember harrowing
One effective way to remember "harrowing" (adjective) is to group it with similar words you already know: "traumatic" and "excruciating" and "agonizing". When you encounter "harrowing" on a test, these synonym connections help you quickly recall its meaning — "causing pain or distress".
Use flashcard apps with spaced repetition to review "harrowing" at increasing intervals until it becomes automatic.
More Vocabulary Words Starting with H
- habitat — The natural home or environment of an animal or plant
- hackneyed — lacking creativity; derivative and overused
- hamper — obstruct or hinder progress
- hamper — To hinder or impede the movement or progress of
- haphazard — lacking clear planning, order, or direction
- hapless — unlucky or unfortunate
- harangue — a long angry rant
- harbinger — a person or thing that foreshadows or foretells the coming of someone or somethi
- haughty — exhibiting arrogant and condescending pride
- headstrong — determined to have one's own way; stubborn