horrifies

verb

present tense third-person singular of horrify
as in frightens
to strike with fear the old black-and-white psychological thriller still horrifies audiences

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 horrifies Watching how the United States treats detainees horrifies many Canadians, said Julia Sande, an immigration attorney with Amnesty International. — Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 29 July 2026 Sunday was another game-long display of why Wembanyama horrifies opponents from either side of the ball. — James Jackson, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for horrifies
  1. frightens
  2. scares
  3. terrifies
  4. startles
Verb
  • The prospect of Sean Steur or Lewis Hall — whose contract situation Wilson refused to be drawn on, despite being asked three times — leaving is not something which frightens the hierarchy.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Penelope, too, is asked to occupy a landscape that frightens her, not only as a neurodivergent child in a neurotypical culture, but as a child now situated in an adult world.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of frightens
Verb
  • The protective gear that the firefighters are wearing also scares him.
    — Julie Dobrow, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Fly fishing taught me that forcing the outcome usually scares it away.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of scares
Verb
  • Black Palace is set in 1888 London as an emerging tabloid media terrifies the public with lurid stories of infamous serial killer Jack the Ripper.
    — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2026
  • What terrifies you about this moment and inspires you about this moment?
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of terrifies
Verb
  • Missile warning startles Dubai Earlier on Friday, a missile warning in the United Arab Emirates caused by a technical glitch underscored the ongoing tensions in the region, following the attack on the cargo vessel and Israeli strikes in Lebanon over the past few days.
    — Collin Binkley, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
  • The combination of flashing light and movement startles them.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 June 2026
Definition of startles

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horrified
horrifies
horrify
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Cite this Entry

“Horrifies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horrifies. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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