a harrowing experience

USAGE SUMMARY

"a harrowing experience" is correct and usable in written English.
You would use it to describe a horrifying or very upsetting experience. For example, "The victims of the earthquake shared their harrowing experience of being trapped in the rubble for days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Which can be a harrowing experience.

The New Yorker

It was a harrowing experience.

The New York Times

"It's a harrowing experience for them.

The New York Times

Undergoing a mastectomy is a harrowing experience.

The Guardian

Still, Krell said, "we were all scared," confirming that it had been a harrowing experience.

The New Yorker

The writer has a harrowing experience at a phonograph-recording jam session.

The New Yorker

But the game had been a harrowing experience for a team that likes to suffocate opponents.

The New York Times - Sports

Landing on the tiny runway on St .Barts can be a harrowing experience.

The New York Times

Although she was acting, it was still a harrowing experience for her.

The Guardian - Opinion

By G. Schwabe The New Yorker, January 22 , 1927P. 73 A harrowing experience.

The New Yorker

The New Yorker, January 22 , 1927P. 73 A harrowing experience.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "a harrowing experience" with vivid descriptions to fully convey the impact of the event on those involved.

Common error

Avoid using "a harrowing experience" to describe mildly unpleasant situations. Reserve it for events that genuinely cause significant distress or trauma.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a harrowing experience" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively describes a deeply distressing or frightening event, such as a survivor's account of a natural disaster.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a harrowing experience" is a noun phrase effectively used to describe deeply distressing or frightening events. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media contexts. While it conveys a strong sense of distress, it's important to reserve its use for situations that genuinely warrant such a description. Consider alternatives like "a traumatic experience" or "an ordeal" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. The phrase maintains a neutral to formal register, making it suitable for various serious discussions and narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a traumatic experience

Focuses more on the psychological impact and potential long-term effects.

a dreadful experience

Emphasizes the unpleasantness and negativity of the experience.

an ordeal

Implies a difficult or painful test of endurance.

a trying experience

Highlights the challenging and testing nature of the situation.

a painful experience

Focuses on the emotional or physical discomfort involved.

a difficult time

A more general phrase to describe a period of hardship.

a rough patch

Indicates a temporary period of difficulty or trouble.

a tough situation

Highlights the challenging aspects of the circumstances.

an unpleasant event

A more neutral way to describe something disagreeable.

a negative occurrence

A formal way to describe an unfavorable event.

FAQs

How can I use "a harrowing experience" in a sentence?

You can use "a harrowing experience" to describe an event that caused significant distress. For example, "The survivors recounted "a harrowing experience" during the storm".

What's a less intense way to describe a difficult situation than "a harrowing experience"?

If "a harrowing experience" seems too strong, you might consider using phrases like "a difficult time", "a challenging situation", or "a rough patch" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "a harrowing experience" and "a traumatic experience"?

While both phrases describe very difficult situations, "a traumatic experience" often implies longer-lasting psychological effects than "a harrowing experience".

What are some synonyms for "a harrowing experience"?

Synonyms for "a harrowing experience" include "an ordeal", "a trying experience", and "a dreadful experience", all of which suggest a difficult and unpleasant situation.