1
as in horrible
causing fear
a horrendous explosion shook the building
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in awful
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment
a horrendous breach of good manners that should not escape censure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in horrific
extremely disturbing or repellent
emergency room personnel did not flinch even from the most horrendous injuries
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of horrendous
The Giants’ secondary is in major need of a jumpstart after a horrendous season on the back end courtesy of poor drafting, unnecessarily frequent staff turnover and lackadaisical play.
—
Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2026
The Department of Interior decided to pause that system in the summer of 2023, and the horrendous traffic jams and parking problems immediately returned.
—Graham Averill, Outside, 28 Jan. 2026
Even without the roadwork, traffic in and out of these canyons can be horrendous.
—Tim Neville, Travel + Leisure, 27 Jan. 2026
Biden's horrendous June debate only drove home the point.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for horrendous
Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2026
The Department of Interior decided to pause that system in the summer of 2023, and the horrendous traffic jams and parking problems immediately returned.
—Graham Averill, Outside, 28 Jan. 2026
Even without the roadwork, traffic in and out of these canyons can be horrendous.
—Tim Neville, Travel + Leisure, 27 Jan. 2026
Biden's horrendous June debate only drove home the point.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for horrendous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for horrendous
Adjective
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And for the next year its law enforcement members were hailed as heroes for their efforts that prevented a horrible situation from becoming even worse.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
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There’s nary a crease to be seen in Bina Daigeler’s costumes, all covetable, unapproachable and tailored to the gods; Matthew Herbert’s score may be among the lushest ever slathered over such horrible goings-on.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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And not this awful thing that happens again.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Feb. 2026
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The Padres were mostly woeful for a decade before Preller’s arrival and wholly awful the first five seasons under his direction.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Pregnancy was an offense punishable by death in the camps, yet all three women managed to survive horrific conditions, give birth and keep their newborns alive through seemingly impossible twists of fate and luck.—
Lesley Stahl,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
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His cinema verite style powerfully exposed the horrific inhumanity of public institutions (like hospitals, schools and housing projects) supposedly created to help people.—
Duane Byrge,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Even the more terrifying creatures, like rattlesnakes and scorpions, have their own undeniable, deadly beauty.—
Becky Bartkowski,
AZCentral.com,
14 Feb. 2026
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The story that introduced millions of streaming viewers to the Crain family and their terrifying home is getting a brand-new life — this time, on stage.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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In more ways than one, this war has mutated into an ugly numbers game.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
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The artist has described herself as a black hole where people can dump their feelings, but her music moves beyond ugly emotions toward catharsis.—
Sheldon Pearce,
New Yorker,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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And Margot Robbie gives the character a sharpness, an agency that’s a relief from the wilting Catherines of yore — which actually makes her ultimate gruesome fate feel that much more tragic.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
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Prisoners endured frequent selections, some by Nazi doctor Josef Mengele, known for his gruesome experiments on camp inmates.—
Lesley Stahl,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The question was about the student section’s harassment of former Spartan Xavier Booker, which seemed like a legitimate query considering Booker had a terrible game.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
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The move was expected because Hill, who played for the Chiefs from 2016-‘21 before being traded to the Dolphins, is recovering from a terrible knee injury.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The Epstein files reveal plenty of powerful people to have tolerated or participated in disgusting and shameful behavior.—
Gilad Edelman,
The Atlantic,
7 Feb. 2026
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Hearing disgusting lies spread about my brother is absolutely gut-wrenching, and my family is deeply grateful so many people have stood up and helped tell his truth.—
Drake Bentley,
jsonline.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Horrendous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horrendous. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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