utterly harrowing

USAGE SUMMARY

"utterly harrowing" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the emotional intensity of a situation or experience, for example: "Her speech was utterly harrowing and brought some audience members to tears."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It's an exploration of the behaviour of children left to their own devices and is utterly harrowing.

The Guardian - Books

The trailers for Click may have foregrounded the mischievous japes that Sandler's character enacts with his magical time-shifting remote control, but they failed to touch on the utterly harrowing series of events that constitute the film's last half-hour.

The Guardian - Film

The details of the case are utterly harrowing, and reminiscent of the devastating brutality of the infamous Delhi rape known across India as the Nirbhaya case.

Vice

It is an inspired, utterly harrowing moment of ungodly gratification.

The New York Times

The Traitor is heart-stopping and utterly harrowing, and makes Game of Thrones look like Jackanory.

Independent

"Fox" is, I take it, a poem about the common, and utterly harrowing, fear every parent has felt: that they will wake to find that their children have died in their beds.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"This is absolutely harrowing".

The New York Times

Utterly cinematic, harrowing, horrifying and necessary.

Vice

It's a brilliant film, as brain-bleedingly tense as you'd expect from a film directed by Paul Greengrass and Hanks is utterly fantastic in it, harrowing, heartbreaking and, as usual, deeply human.

The Guardian - Film

Haunting, harrowing, and utterly mesmerizing, Streep has never been better.

Huffington Post

"The allegations in the letter about Mr Chowdhury's treatment are harrowing and if confirmed would be utterly unacceptable," a spokesman said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly harrowing" to emphasize the extreme emotional or psychological distress caused by a situation or event. This phrase is most effective when conveying a sense of intense suffering or torment.

Common error

Avoid using "utterly harrowing" to describe situations that are merely unpleasant or inconvenient. This phrase is reserved for experiences causing significant emotional or psychological trauma.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly harrowing" functions as an intensifier ("utterly") modifying an adjective ("harrowing"). This combination amplifies the severity of the adjective, describing something as extremely distressing or painful. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in conveying intense emotional impact.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "utterly harrowing" is a grammatically correct and effective phrase used to describe experiences that cause extreme emotional or psychological distress. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase combines an intensifier with a strong adjective to amplify the sense of suffering. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to evoke a powerful emotional response by emphasizing the severity of a situation. While its usage is not very common, when employed appropriately, it conveys a deep sense of pain and trauma. Be cautious not to overuse it in situations that are merely unpleasant or inconvenient.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deeply distressing

Replaces "utterly harrowing" with a slightly less intense but still impactful adjective, focusing on the emotional distress caused.

extremely agonizing

Substitutes "harrowing" with "agonizing" and "utterly" with "extremely", highlighting the painful nature of the experience.

intensely painful

Focuses directly on the pain aspect, replacing "utterly harrowing" with a straightforward description of intense suffering.

profoundly disturbing

Shifts the focus to the disturbing nature of the experience, rather than the direct suffering implied by "harrowing".

completely devastating

Emphasizes the destructive impact of the experience, using "devastating" as a replacement for "harrowing".

absolutely heartbreaking

Highlights the emotional pain and sorrow caused by the situation, offering a more empathetic perspective.

exceptionally traumatic

Focuses on the long-lasting psychological impact, using a clinical term to describe the severity of the experience.

terribly upsetting

Provides a milder alternative, suitable for situations where the distress is significant but not overwhelming.

grievously afflicting

Uses more formal and literary language to describe the suffering, emphasizing the burden and hardship.

bitterly tormenting

Focuses on the aspect of mental or emotional torture implied by the experience.

FAQs

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

The phrase "utterly harrowing" is used to describe something extremely distressing or painful. For example, "The details of the accident were "utterly harrowing" and left everyone in shock."

What are some alternatives to saying "utterly harrowing"?

You can use alternatives such as "deeply distressing", "extremely agonizing", or "intensely painful" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "utterly harrowing" in formal writing?

Yes, "utterly harrowing" can be used in formal writing when describing a situation that is genuinely traumatic or deeply disturbing. However, consider the audience and context to ensure it aligns with the overall tone.

What distinguishes "utterly harrowing" from "slightly upsetting"?

"Utterly harrowing" describes an experience that causes significant emotional or psychological trauma, while "slightly upsetting" refers to a minor and less impactful disturbance. The former suggests deep suffering, whereas the latter indicates mild discomfort.