HORRIBLE Synonyms: 273 Similar and Opposite Words

horrible 1 of 2

adjective

ˈhȯr-ə-bəl

Definition of horrible

as in horrific

extremely disturbing or repellent a horrible car accident that left eyewitnesses in a state of shock

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in terrifying

causing fear a horrible scream that made shivers go up and down our spines

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in awful

causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment I can never forgive her for the horrible way she treated me

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in terrible

extremely unsatisfactory I'm never going back to that restaurant; the service was horrible

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

horrible

2 of 2

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 horrible

Adjective

If only there wasn’t a horrible storm hitting Chicago right as The Bear is already experiencing its own turmoil — no money, barely any ingredients, and now the building is quite literally falling apart. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 26 June 2026 These voters may come to see that while their political choices all speak about how horrible gun violence is, that does little to stem the dozens of shootings that continue to take place across the city during the warmer months. — Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026 Afterward, the house was left vacant and facing foreclosure, and photos shared by Landmarks Illinois shared last year showed the interior in horrible shape. — Noel Brennan, CBS News, 25 June 2026 Luke Hales / Getty Images Major League Baseball could be barreling toward a horrible year in 2027, when games could be canceled amid a labor dispute. — Evan Drellich, New York Times, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for horrible

Recent Examples of Synonyms for horrible

Adjective

Gerardi and his horrific murder have remained relevant in the decades since.

— Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 July 2026
To be sure, the thugs of Hamas and Hezbollah committed a horrific massacre of young Jewish civilians enjoying a music festival on October 7, 2023.

— DP Opinion, Denver Post, 6 July 2026

Definition of horrific

Adjective

That year, the Potomac River turned violent, as intense, heavy rains pushed the water to a terrifying, near-record flood level of 60,000 cubic feet per second.

— Jasmine Baehr , Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
Just like waiting for the release of the bull, the ride vehicle will pause for three seconds before a terrifying 285-foot drop.

— Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026

Definition of terrifying

Adjective

One year Pippa Middleton faced the awful shame of having to sit in a normal seat after showing up late.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Sugar is at the forensic lab with the corpse of a man who looks an awful lot like Ji Moon but isn’t Ji Moon (courtesy of Shea Whigham as Tom Flybjerg).

— Andy Andersen, Vulture, 27 June 2026

Definition of awful

Adjective

With all the terrible news of layoffs and that the games industry is in a dire state, some people online have said a crash is the only way to fix things.

— Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
With Te Fiti gone, a terrible darkness began slowly taking hold of the islands and their surrounding waters.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026

Definition of terrible

Noun

In its absence, this category is open for business, with Rhys, so good at shifting between his show’s droll humor and genuine terror, an obvious choice.

— Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
On top of that, there was a terror attack plot at one of her concerts in Vienna in 2024, which was thwarted.

— Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 7 July 2026

Definition of terror

Adjective

The more time passes, the more gruesome the recovery process becomes, said William Gomez, a firefighter in La Guaira.

— Fernanda Pesce, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Family and loved ones are remembering Brittany Clark, the former Sacramento resident and Kennedy High School student killed by an alligator in a Florida river, as officials there released new details of the gruesome attack.

— Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 6 July 2026

Definition of gruesome

Adjective

Spain are a more understated attacking unit, and there’s a sense that while Lamine Yamal has been excellent, there is another gear for the Barcelona 18-year-old to find, which is fairly frightening for everyone else.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 4 July 2026
For millions of individuals and businesses who rely on professional preparers, the answer portends a frightening prospect if the return preparer is dishonest.

— Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Definition of frightening

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“Horrible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horrible. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of horrible

adjective

noun

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