horrify

verb

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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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Synonyms & Antonyms for horrify

Synonyms

Antonyms

reassure

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 Its science-fiction stories are still sharp and clever with twists that surprise, delight and horrify. — Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, "The 40 best TV shows to watch on Paramount+ right now, from 'The Good Fight' to 'The Real World'," 16 Mar. 2021 Nguyễn Văn Lém getting shot in the middle of the street, for instance—images that just horrify you. — Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, "Spike Lee Sees the Parallels," 7 Mar. 2021 While Howl-O-Scream happenings horrify guests after dark on select nights at Busch Gardens, the Tampa Bay theme park is bringing younger visitors family-friendly offerings during the daytime. — Patrick Connolly, orlandosentinel.com, "Halloween in Orlando: Family-friendly events suitable for young ones," 7 Oct. 2020 The 32-year-old law student escaped the 2014 abduction and disappearance of 43 rural college students that continues to horrify Mexico. — Washington Post, "Mexico’s president seeks public approval to prosecute five ex-presidents," 22 Sep. 2020 Its science fiction stories are still sharp and clever, with twists that surprise, delight and horrify, from a woeful pair of glasses to an alien cookbook. — Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, "50 best TV shows to watch on Hulu right now, from 'Atlanta' to 'Buffy' and 'Mrs. America'," 31 July 2020 Its science fiction stories are still so sharp and clever, with twists that surprise, delight and horrify. — Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, "50 best TV shows to watch on Netflix right now: 'Better Call Saul,' 'Pose,' 'Twilight Zone,' more," 1 July 2020 And yet, what the photograph does measure is its most telling, horrifying attribute. — Jason Parham, Wired, "Depth of Field: George Floyd and the Illusion of Progress," 29 May 2020 The fever and ague, diarrhea and dysentery had made dreadful havoc ... and the awful pictures of the tent town or encamping ground at Happy Valley are horrifying in the extreme. — Gary Kamiya, SFChronicle.com, "When disease racked Gold Rush San Francisco," 29 May 2020

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.