9
severe(adjective, tender, offensive, extreme, raw)
9
trying(adjective, tender, offensive, raw, painful)
9
upsetting(adjective, offensive, awful, terrible, disgusting)
8
alarming(verb, adjective, frightening)
8
foul(adjective, endured)
8
grueling(adjective, awful, terrible, horrible, painful)
8
harsh(adjective, endured)
8
insufferable(adjective, painful, endured)
8
racking(adjective, severe, shocking, distressing, upsetting)
8
sad(adjective, awful, terrible, horrible, afraid)
8
woeful(adjective, awful, terrible, horrible, painful)
7
atrocious(adjective, awful, terrible, horrible, afraid)
7
bad(adjective, awful, terrible, horrible, afraid)
7
macabre(adjective, endured)
7
nasty(adjective, awful, terrible, horrible, afraid)
7
nerve-racking(verb, adjective, frightening)
7
offensive(adjective, painful, endured)
7
oppressive(adjective, painful)
7
sore(adjective, tender, raw, painful, burning)
7
tragic(adjective, bad, awful, terrible, horrible)
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APASmart Define. (2015). harrowing thesaurus. Retrieved September 22, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/harrowing/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2015. "harrowing thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/harrowing/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 22, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2015, harrowing thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 22 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/harrowing/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "harrowing thesaurus" 10 April 2015. Web. 22 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/harrowing/thesaurus/synonyms>