Harrow

To harrow means to cause severe distress, torment, or anguish; to inflict mental or emotional pain upon someone. It can also refer to the act of breaking up and smoothing the surface of land with a harrow, a farming tool. The term often implies a deep and lasting sense of suffering, often stemming from a traumatic experience or memory. Harrowing experiences leave a profound mark, affecting one's well-being and outlook. The word's use extends beyond literal torture; it describes any situation that causes extreme emotional upset.

Harrow meaning with examples

• The news of her friend's illness harrowed her, filling her with anxiety and fear for the future. She spent days in a state of deep worry and grief, unable to think of anything else. The constant thoughts of potential outcomes was too much, as this situation harrowed her greatly.
• The film's graphic scenes of violence were incredibly harrowing for many viewers, leaving them shaken and disturbed long after the credits rolled. The director's aim was to depict reality, and in doing so, he harrowed some. Some left, some stayed, all affected.
• The old photographs harrowed him, reminding him of a love he had lost decades ago and of a past he could never reclaim. Each picture was a painful reminder, each photo was a knife; and these thoughts and experiences harrowed him daily. The photographs were a portal to the past.
• After losing their home in the fire, the family was harrowed by the experience, facing homelessness and the loss of cherished possessions. They found this a very hard time. This awful situation affected them for a very long time, and it harrowed them.