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

Paris — Gisèle Pelicot emerged as a global feminist hero in 2024 by transforming her horrific, personal story into a public battle against rape culture. —Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 12 Feb. 2026

How do people process horrific events? —Shawna Seed, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026

Jacquelyn’s attorney, Andrew Nebenzahl, said the company has ignored horrific crashes and entrapments. —Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 6 Feb. 2026

But after a horrific playoff loss to the Rams in the NFC Wild Card round, Minnesota let Darnold walk. —Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026

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