Synonyms of horrible

horrible 1 of 2

adjective

ˈhȯr-ə-bəl 

1

as in horrific

extremely disturbing or repellent

a horrible car accident that left eyewitnesses in a state of shock

Synonyms & Similar Words

• horrific
• gruesome
• terrible
• shocking
• nightmare
• awful
• horrifying
• terrific
• frightening
• dreadful
• hideous
• terrifying
• horrid
• appalling
• scary
• nightmarish
• horrendous
• atrocious
• sickening
• ghastly
• grisly
• disgusting
• frightful
• monstrous
• macabre
• lurid
• ugly
• fearful
• alarming
• dire
• obscene
• loathsome
• formidable
• direful
• repulsive
• revolting
• offensive
• deplorable
• grotesque
• abominable
• heinous
• disagreeable
• abhorrent
• obnoxious
• repugnant
• unspeakable
• evil
• odious
• fearsome
• intimidating
• forbidding
• vile
• gut-wrenching
• distasteful
• nauseating
• redoubtable
• noxious
• bloodcurdling
• unsightly
• noisome
• hair-raising
• heart-stopping
• foul

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pleasant
• delightful
• attractive
• delicious
• enjoyable
• welcome
• appealing
• agreeable
• satisfying
• pleasurable
• pleasing
• enticing
• delectable
• inviting
• comforting
• soothing
• cheering

2

as in terrifying

causing fear

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• terrifying
• terrible
• frightening
• formidable
• scary
• intimidating
• dread
• shocking
• dreadful
• alarming
• horrifying
• fearful
• horrendous
• ghastly
• creepy
• startling
• eerie
• frightful
• gruesome
• dire
• trying
• forbidding
• fearsome
• troubling
• direful
• disturbing
• threatening
• redoubtable
• spine-chilling
• hideous
• discouraging
• hair-raising
• weird
• unnerving
• daunting
• awful
• demoralizing
• disconcerting
• perturbing
• horrid
• appalling
• disquieting
• distressing
• dismaying
• nightmarish
• grisly
• atrocious
• monstrous
• macabre
• bone-chilling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reassuring
• comforting
• relaxing
• soothing
• calming
• inviting
• consoling
• tranquilizing
• nonthreatening
• quieting
• lulling
• pacifying
• nonintimidating

3

as in awful

causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment

I can never forgive her for the horrible way she treated me

Synonyms & Similar Words

• awful
• disgusting
• ugly
• hideous
• sickening
• shocking
• dreadful
• obnoxious
• obscene
• offensive
• nasty
• unpleasant
• evil
• terrible
• horrid
• appalling
• horrific
• horrendous
• abominable
• gross
• gruesome
• loathsome
• odious
• revolting
• repulsive
• abhorrent
• repugnant
• scandalous
• distasteful
• noxious
• undesirable
• nauseous
• nauseating
• foul
• repellent
• vile
• rancid
• disturbing
• noisome
• fulsome
• hateful
• unwanted
• monstrous
• miserable
• horrifying
• objectionable
• grim
• disagreeable
• detestable
• despicable
• heinous
• atrocious
• sick
• ghastly
• contemptible
• nightmarish
• unspeakable
• unhealthy
• lousy
• frightful
• grisly
• unwholesome
• hard
• brackish
• execrable
• unsavory
• unwelcome
• exceptionable
• macabre
• sickly
• barbarous
• ungodly
• upsetting
• unholy
• dislikable
• lurid
• uncivilized
• distressing
• sickish
• unchristian
• off-putting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• acceptable
• innocuous
• pleasant
• desirable
• delightful
• nice
• sweet
• delicious
• attractive
• inoffensive
• enjoyable
• agreeable
• heavenly
• satisfying
• appealing
• welcome
• alluring
• pleasurable
• dreamy
• congenial
• pleasing
• gratifying
• blessed
• luscious
• likable
• darling
• delectable
• palatable
• felicitous
• inviting
• savory
• dulcet
• unobjectionable
• unexceptionable
• healthy
• wholesome
• healthful
• salutary
• salubrious
• restorative
• delightsome

4

as in terrible

extremely unsatisfactory

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• terrible
• awful
• poor
• bad
• atrocious
• abysmal
• dismal
• lousy
• rotten
• wretched
• execrable
• sucky
• defective
• flawed
• inadequate
• shameful
• miserable
• substandard
• punk
• insufficient
• inferior
• deficient
• contemptible
• worthless
• useless
• mediocre
• wanting
• lacking
• faulty
• off
• reprehensible
• abominable
• odious
• low-grade
• vile
• damnable
• valueless
• bum
• fiendish
• second-rate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• great
• wonderful
• marvelous
• excellent
• exceptional
• superior
• prime
• adequate
• choice
• first-class
• sufficient
• bitchin'
• premium
• acceptable
• satisfactory
• first-rate

horrible

2 of 2

noun

as in terror

Related Words

• terror
• fright
• horror
• monster
• plague
• demon
• enemy
• ghoul
• incubus
• banshee
• curse
• monstrosity
• torment
• imp
• scourge
• phantom
• bane
• abomination
• devil
• apparition
• bogeyman
• specter
• fiend
• wraith
• ghost
• phantasm
• spirit
• poltergeist
• anathema
• dread
• shade
• bugbear
• spook
• ogre
• bugaboo
• bête noire
• black beast
• bogey
• hobgoblin

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of horrible

Adjective

From Boyle Heights to Monterey Park, residents said they were overwhelmed by the smoke from the week-long fire, and then tormented by the horrible stench from decaying meat and seafood. — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026

Seeing that was probably the most horrible moment of my life. — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026

But the Chinese way will cause a proliferation of talent, usage, data—until something horrible happens. — Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026

Puberty is already horrible and awkward enough, but Wilson had to go through it while filming Thomas and the Magic Railroad (2000). — Huntley Woods, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026