horrible 1 of 2

adjective

ˈhȯr-ə-bəl How to pronounce horrible (audio)
Definition of horriblenext
1
as in horrific
extremely disturbing or repellent a horrible car accident that left eyewitnesses in a state of shock

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in terrifying
causing fear a horrible scream that made shivers go up and down our spines

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in awful
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment I can never forgive her for the horrible way she treated me

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4
as in terrible
extremely unsatisfactory I'm never going back to that restaurant; the service was horrible

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

horrible

2 of 2

noun

as in terror

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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
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 See All Example Sentences for horrible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for horrible
  1. horrific
  2. terrifying
  3. awful
  4. terrible
  5. terror
  6. gruesome
  7. frightening
  8. disgusting
Adjective
  • Gen gets to bust out her flapper dress only to witness the most horrific, awful, potentially career-destroying failure … the caviar, oysters, and bread are all crowded onto the bread plate.
    — Emma Soren, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
  • In her very first on-screen role, Reeves brings a nuanced, brave, and deeply intuitive performance as the titular character, an eight-year-old San Francisco resident who witnesses a horrific crime and has to deal with the emotional fallout.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of horrific
Adjective
  • The monsters when finally shown in the light are more shrug worthy than creepy or terrifying.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The great slope of Mulholland’s concrete gravity dam in the Hollywood Hills — a model for the one that failed — was covered with dirt to disguise its terrifying height.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of terrifying
Adjective
  • The battle sequences in this finale are awful, elaborate, and grotesque, especially Ormund using children as human shields and Daemon burning them alive.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
  • So, what does this mean for the markets, and us bystanders, in this awful situation?
    — Clem Chambers, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of awful
Adjective
  • That Crowley came from behind to win was a testament to Evers’ grit and determination to keep the nomination from Hong, whom Evers said was unlikely to win in November, and to how terrible of a campaigner Hong turned out to be in the home stretch.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Although the Constitution requires congressional involvement in war-making, Trump like Nixon disdained that mandate with terrible consequences.
    — Elizabeth Holtzman, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of terrible
Noun
  • The official did not provide further details on the alleged association with terror organizations.
    — Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
  • An experience that demands the big screen, featuring even more astounding effects choreography than its predecessor, Godzilla Minus Zero cranks up the terror while always keeping its post-WWII Japan narrative at human eye level.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of terror
Adjective
  • In a two-story warehouse on the back lot, just a few blocks away from the streets of Tumbleton, Mason gives me a tour of his prosthetics operation, which is currently abuzz with workers assembling gruesome wounds and other injuries.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The utter carnage that follows brings major developments for all the main characters still on the chessboard — and many gruesome deaths by dragon fire, boiling oil, spikes and even catapults.
    — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of gruesome
Adjective
  • And what is perhaps most frightening, in those despondent moments that inevitably follow the exhilarating rush, is the realization that this enveloping abyss retains the imprint of our actions.
    — Jan Tumlir, Artforum, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The video quickly sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with many viewers expressing relief that the ride's safety restraints appeared to do their job despite the frightening ordeal.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of frightening
Adjective
  • To interrogate Fauci now, for absolutely no coherent reason and completely without sense, is shameful and disgusting.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The left's most hated author — JK Rowling — has dropped the hammer on the disgusting things that took place at the Indiana Fever-Seattle Storm game earlier this week.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of disgusting

Browse Nearby Words

horrendously
horrible
horribleness
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Cite this Entry

“Horrible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horrible. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of horrible for Spanish Speakers

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