plural horrors
1
: a very strong feeling of fear, dread, and shock
There was a look of horror on her face.
He saw to his horror that he couldn't escape. [=he was horrified to see that he couldn't escape]
The crowd watched in horror as the fire spread.
2
: the quality of something that causes feelings of fear, dread, and shock : the horrible or shocking quality or character of something
His friends were shocked by the horror of his death.
the horror of war
3
: something that causes feelings of fear, dread, and shock : something that is shocking and horrible
His crimes were unspeakable horrors.
His memoirs recount the horrors of the war.
tales of horror
4
chiefly British, informal
: a child who behaves very badly
Their children are perfect little horrors!
always used before a noun
: intended to cause feelings of fear or horror
a horror movie
He writes horror novels.
Cite this Entry
“Horror.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/horror. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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