--adj.

distressing, vexing, alarming, unnerving, frightening,terrifying, horrifying, horrible, torturous, chilling,heart-rending, nerve-racking or nerve-wracking, traumatic,agonizing, painful

disturbing, upsetting, worrying, worrisome,disconcerting, daunting, dismaying, disquieting: Waiting forthe rescue team to release me was a harrowing experience.

UK adjective

extremely upsetting because connected with suffering    折磨人的，令人痛苦的 a harrowing story   令人悲伤的故事 For many women, the harrowing prospect of giving evidence in a rape case can be too much to bear.   对很多女性来说，一想到要提供遭受强奸的证据就让人难以忍受。