horrify

verb

hor·ri·fy | \ ˈhȯr-ə-ˌfī

, ˈhär-\

horrified; horrifying

Definition of horrify

transitive verb

1 : to cause to feel horror

2 : to fill with distaste : shock

Other Words from horrify Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about horrify

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Choose the Right Synonym for horrify

dismay, appall, horrify, daunt mean to unnerve or deter by arousing fear, apprehension, or aversion. dismay implies that one is disconcerted and at a loss as to how to deal with something. dismayed at the size of the job appall implies that one is faced with that which perturbs, confounds, or shocks. I am appalled by your behavior horrify stresses a reaction of horror or revulsion. was horrified by such wanton cruelty daunt suggests a cowing, disheartening, or frightening in a venture requiring courage. a cliff that would daunt the most intrepid climber

Examples of horrify in a Sentence

The details of the crime horrified the nation. They were horrified by the movie's violence.

Recent Examples on the Web

Now read more about horrifying skin scares: Done reading? — Kaleigh Fasanella, Allure, "A Man Developed a Near-Fatal Infection in His Brain Lining After Using a Cotton Swab," 15 Mar. 2019 She recalled being horrified after witnessing her daughter trying to fend off the tiger with a stick. — Kathleen Joyce, Fox News, "Woman fights off tiger with a stick after it attacks her goat," 4 Apr. 2018 Dominic Solazzo, president of the homeowners association in Berkeley Township, says he was horrified at the damage done Monday to a dune his members had painstakingly built up over 40 years. — Wayne Parry, The Seattle Times, "Government bulldozes part of dune it promised not to harm," 31 July 2018 Copeland recalled being horrified for the girl, but believing that there would be no consequences for the perpetrator. — Samantha Schmidt, The Seattle Times, "Kavanaugh’s accuser waited decades to tell her story. Teenagers of the 1980s aren’t surprised.," 18 Sep. 2018 In October 2015, just two months after the debate contretemps, Wallace scored an interview with Trump, who was horrifying many but impressing Wallace—a feeling the anchor still has. — Andrew Goldman, Town & Country, "Chris Wallace Is Fox News's Man in the Middle," 17 Nov. 2018 But Jackie, who was by then married to Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, was horrified by the unwanted publicity the home was drawing. — Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, "Jackie Kennedy Onassis was 'horrified' of recluse aunt, cousin living in crumbling Grey Gardens, book claims," 12 Sep. 2018 So much of what makes the boogeyman horrifying to me is the mystery and almost cat-like mannerisms and curiosity of this character. — Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, "See first photos of Jamie Lee Curtis vs. Michael Myers in horrifying new 'Halloween'," 5 June 2018 Indeed, while the human toll of the cruelty has horrified immigration-rights activists, the political fallout may ultimately spread far more widely than the current political headlines indicate. — Jonathan Chait, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump’s Racist Immigration Policy Is Backfiring on Trump," 25 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'horrify.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.