horrendous

adjective

hor·​ren·​dous hȯ-ˈren-dəs 

hä-, 

hə-

: extremely bad or unpleasant : horrible, dreadful

His audition was horrendous.

horrendous crimes

horrendously adverb

Synonyms of horrendous

• horrible
• terrifying
• terrible
• formidable
• frightening
• scary

Examples of horrendous in a Sentence

Her taste in clothes is horrendous.

a horrendous explosion shook the building

Recent Examples on the Web

There would be periods of spectacular growth followed by horrendous swoons that would wipe out all of the gains. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 16 Aug. 2026

As horrendous as California’s wildfires may be, the conventional rules of imposing liability and spreading the cost just doesn’t work when utilities are state-regulated and state-protected. — Dan Walters, Oc Register, 6 Aug. 2026

His actions in Gaza have been horrendous and any right-minded person should support his arrest. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 26 July 2026

Instead, his horrendous tactics were even more cautious, negative and sobering. — The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 16 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin horrendus "inspiring terror or awe, dreadful" (gerundive of horrēre "to be stiffly erect, bristle, shudder, shiver") + -ous — more at horror entry 1

First Known Use

1659, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for horrendous

• stupendous
• tremendous
• rendus

Kids Definition

horrendous

adjective

hor·​ren·​dous hȯ-ˈren-dəs 

hä-, 

hə-

: dreadful, horrible

horrendously adverb