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

These horrific crimes by bloodthirsty aliens happen here, too. —Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 4 Mar. 2026

Serial killers grab hold of the public’s attention with their horrific misdeeds and never let go. —Diane Garrett, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026

Magnano then fires nine shots toward Jones, Jones immediately collapses to the ground as people in the area could be heard letting out horrific screams and cries. —Kellie Love, Hartford Courant, 3 Mar. 2026

In 2013, part of Cunningham’s family was involved in a horrific head-on car crash on State Route 52 with a wrong-way driver. —John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 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