horrific

adjective

hor·​rif·​ic hȯ-ˈri-fik 

hä-

: having the power to horrify

a horrific account of the tragedy

horrifically

hȯ-ˈri-fi-k(ə-)lē 

hä-

adverb

Synonyms of horrific

• gruesome
• shocking
• horrible
• terrible
• nightmare
• horrifying
• frightening

Examples of horrific in a Sentence

horrific images of the devastation spurred many people to give generously

Recent Examples on the Web

The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience. —Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 22 Dec. 2025

The public knows that Venezuelans have been subjected to horrific treatment at this prison. —Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 22 Dec. 2025

And so, the levels of violence are horrific. —CBS News, 21 Dec. 2025

The horrific hit-and-run happened on December 7, when 23-year old Peruvian national Brando Diaz-Sanchez struck the victim and never stopped. —Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 20 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French & Latin; French horrifique, going back to Middle French, borrowed from Latin horrificus "inspiring awe or dread, frightening," from horrēre "to be stiffly erect, bristle, shudder, shiver" + -i- -i- + -ficus -fic — more at horror entry 1

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for horrific

• pacific
• prolific
• salvific
• specific
• terrific
• calorific
• conspecific
• hieroglyphic
• honorific
• nonspecific
• scientific
• soporific