harrowings
Deeply distressing experiences
Harrowings are deeply distressing or traumatic experiences, or the act of inflicting such distress.
The word comes from the agricultural harrow—a device with metal teeth that breaks up soil—and suggests being torn or raked over.
The harrowings of war left the village in ruins.
In Christian tradition, the Harrowing of Hell refers to Christ's descent to rescue souls from the underworld.
Extremely tiring and demanding
- arduousDemanding strenuous effort
- exhaustingDepleting one's stamina
- traumaticCausing severe emotional damage
- nightmaresTerrifying sleep experiences
flashbacks · PTSD · anxiety · suffering · pain · distressing · anguishing · tormenting
grueling
Extremely tiring and demanding
- arduousDemanding strenuous effort
- exhaustingDepleting one's stamina
- traumaticCausing severe emotional damage
nightmares · flashbacks · PTSD · anxiety · suffering · pain · distressing · anguishing · tormenting · devastating
plowing
Turning earth for crops
- tillageSoil preparation for planting
- cultivatorSoil-turning implement
- diskingCultivating with bladed implement
soil · tines · aeration · fieldwork · seeding · furrow · weeding · loam · fertilizing · sowing
harrowingscomforts
Eases distress; pleasures
consolations · reassurances · solaces · reliefs · balms
harrowingsreprieves
Postponements of penalties
delights · healings · pleasures · restorations · joys
- harrowing escapeDistressing, barely-successful flee