Synonym Chooser

How does the verb horrify contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of horrify are appall, daunt, and dismay. While all these words mean "to unnerve or deter by arousing fear, apprehension, or aversion," horrify stresses a reaction of horror or revulsion.

was horrified by such wanton cruelty

When is appall a more appropriate choice than horrify?

While in some cases nearly identical to horrify, appall implies that one is faced with that which perturbs, confounds, or shocks.

I am appalled by your behavior

In what contexts can daunt take the place of horrify?

In some situations, the words daunt and horrify are roughly equivalent. However, daunt suggests a cowing, disheartening, or frightening in a venture requiring courage.

a cliff that would daunt the most intrepid climber

Where would dismay be a reasonable alternative to horrify?

The words dismay and horrify are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dismay implies that one is disconcerted and at a loss as to how to deal with something.

dismayed at the size of the job

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of horrify His plan horrified and frightened most Arab leaders, not just on humanitarian grounds but because a large influx of Gazans would destabilize any Arab countries that took them in. Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 12 May 2025 Social-media users were horrified by Hagarty's experience, leading to more than 400 comments on her viral video so far. Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025 The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington CEO Gil Preuss said in a statement that he was horrified by the shooting and mourned the loss of the two people killed. Maya Sweedler, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025 On Tuesday, Britain paused free trade talks with Israel, summoned its ambassador and announced further sanctions against West Bank settlers after Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was horrified by the military escalation in Gaza. Astha Rajvanshi, NBC news, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for horrify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for horrify
Verb
  • May 9, 2024 Gary Usher, a songwriter who worked with Landy, told state investigators that Wilson was a virtual captive, manipulated by a man who frightened and intimidated him.
    Steve Marble, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025
  • Today, movies and TV intended for the biggest audience possible often water down their storytelling and generalize in order to avoid anything that might challenge, frighten or unsettle the audience.
    Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • Every manager, then, wanted a guy on his bench who was there for one reason only: to grab a bat, terrify the closer and obliterate a baseball.
    Jayson Stark, New York Times, 19 June 2025
  • Diana Lopez, a lifelong Santa Ana resident and a psychologist in the Santa Ana Unified School District, said students in her care are terrified.
    Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • However, the stories about Porter from Cleveland and Houston may scare enough other teams that Milwaukee can keep him at that price. 7.
    John Hollinger, New York Times, 17 June 2025
  • That is because high costs are still scaring off buyers, who are also delaying purchasing a home because of growing economic uncertainty.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • Part of what startled Fitzgerald’s generation about their studio experience was how near at hand the real bad guys could be.
    Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
  • The late morning blast rattled homes and startled the desert city just before 11 local time, The Desert Sun, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 20 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Horrify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horrify. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.

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