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 American people deserve full transparency into who was involved in these horrific acts. —Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Nov. 2025

What the obsequious emails to Epstein seem to illustrate is that many people with influence were willing to overlook his crimes, horrific behavior, and witless observations as long as there was something in it for them. —Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 14 Nov. 2025

New documentary Thoughts & Prayers travels across the country to examine the impact these horrific crimes have had on students, parents, and teachers. —PC Magazine, 14 Nov. 2025

Please meet the stray dog who helped young children through one of our city's most horrific tragedies. —Brad Schmitt, Nashville Tennessean, 13 Nov. 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