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

Earlier in the month, the courts heard the horrific and emotional testimonies of camp counselors of that night as part of the lawsuit. —Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026

So even as the Nazi regime was radicalizing through the 1930s and committing horrific violence, the German population was still laughing and being entertained. —Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026

Some of it can be attributed to luck, and some to facing teams in the midst of horrific slumps, such as the New York Mets and Phillies. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026

But her fiancé is hiding something horrific. —Fleurine Tideman, Glamour, 25 Apr. 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