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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What follows is a crescendo of bloody madness, including a gruesome toenail cutting scene that shouldn’t be viewed while eating, a grandma being eaten alive by a pack of coyotes and a truly bonkers wake that erupts into laugh-out-loud violence thanks to a pair of dentures.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
17 Apr. 2026
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Since then, The Pitt has blown up in an unlikely way for any cultural object in the 2020s, much less a gruesome medical drama.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Zendaya and Robert Pattinson star in Kristoffer Borgli’s rug-pull rom-com, which follows a soon-to-be-married couple whose relationship implodes after a shocking revelation.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2026
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The series abruptly concluded with Lois' shocking pregnancy news and Malcolm just starting his freshman year at Harvard.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
10 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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Not terrible, but far from correct.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
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Matt wasn't so sure, pointing to his record of selling drugs and trafficking weapons, but Foggy argued in favor of giving even someone who has done terrible things a second chance.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
15 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 22 Apr. 2026.
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