as in gruesome
extremely disturbing or repellent
horrific images of the devastation spurred many people to give generously
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Recent Examples of horrific
For their part, the Clippers turned around their season, going 36-19 after a horrific start to finish with a winning record for the 15th consecutive season at 42-40.
—
Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
The Charlotte Hornets overcame horrific shooting from star guards LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel to survive a 127-126 overtime thriller against the Miami Heat, ending Miami’s season.
—Doug Haller, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Timing is everything – and for Tesla, the timing was horrific, debuting an innovative electric vehicle just as the country dove into its deepest recession in decades.
—John Pacenti, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
California’s largest hikes in home-repair costs last year were found in communities near the horrific January 2025 wildfires across Los Angeles.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for horrific
Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
The Charlotte Hornets overcame horrific shooting from star guards LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel to survive a 127-126 overtime thriller against the Miami Heat, ending Miami’s season.
—Doug Haller, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Timing is everything – and for Tesla, the timing was horrific, debuting an innovative electric vehicle just as the country dove into its deepest recession in decades.
—John Pacenti, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
California’s largest hikes in home-repair costs last year were found in communities near the horrific January 2025 wildfires across Los Angeles.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for horrific
Recent Examples of Synonyms for horrific
Adjective
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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Biden administration failed victims by not seeking the death penalty in many violent and gruesome cases.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Apr. 2026
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Like Richards, many people also invite the public into the somewhat gruesome medical process.—
Rheana Murray,
The Atlantic,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In the furthest part of space lies Dante 01, a detention facility that houses criminals who have committed the most shocking crimes imaginable.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
25 Apr. 2026
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Their latest documentary series looks set to continue that streak, exploring a shocking real case of love, betrayal, and justice.—
Fleurine Tideman,
Glamour,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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On that horrible day, Dad was outside his vehicle supervising a ditch cleaning operation when a driver ignored traffic control devices, drove through a closed lane, and struck him, pinning him between two vehicles.—
Allysson Bornt,
New York Daily News,
19 Apr. 2026
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And every family has that annoying uncle that makes horrible jokes or one situation after another.—
Lexi Lane,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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If anything, great public pressure being brought to bear is a terrible reason to dispense with due-process protections designed to protect the legal rights of individuals, and crafting one exception would seem to create a precedent for crafting others.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
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Some members of Congress, along with airline CEOs and analysts, say the bailout would be a terrible idea.—
Donald Judd,
CNN Money,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But the 22-year-old is not alone in having a nightmare individual performance on a high-profile sporting stage.—
Eduardo Tansley,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
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This is the nightmare scenario for California Democrats.—
Tom Charron,
Mercury News,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Showvay was interviewed in the doc and reflected on everything from her first date with Schipper to the shock of finding out the horrifying things her husband had done.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
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The film is set in the idyllic summer town of Bayleen Bay, which descends into madness when an ice cream man serves kids from his truck with horrifying results.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Beats that might once have been framed through a hazy, absurdist lens now play as something much more fatalistic and frightening.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
20 Apr. 2026
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Forget about sonic or other frightening devices.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Horrific.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horrific. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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