Synonym Chooser

How does the verb horrify contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of horrify are appall, daunt, and dismay. While all these words mean "to unnerve or deter by arousing fear, apprehension, or aversion," horrify stresses a reaction of horror or revulsion.

was horrified by such wanton cruelty

When is appall a more appropriate choice than horrify?

While in some cases nearly identical to horrify, appall implies that one is faced with that which perturbs, confounds, or shocks.

I am appalled by your behavior

In what contexts can daunt take the place of horrify?

In some situations, the words daunt and horrify are roughly equivalent. However, daunt suggests a cowing, disheartening, or frightening in a venture requiring courage.

a cliff that would daunt the most intrepid climber

Where would dismay be a reasonable alternative to horrify?

The words dismay and horrify are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dismay implies that one is disconcerted and at a loss as to how to deal with something.

dismayed at the size of the job

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 horrify My husband is horrified by the blank birthday card! Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025 Career civil rights officials, many of whom had served under both Democratic and Republican administrations, were horrified. Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 27 Aug. 2025 But while their therapist is horrified by the tension and name-calling before her, going so far as to announce that the Roses are beyond repair, the two can’t help but giggle about the whole thing. Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2025 Joe is as horrified by this sound as Kavalier is elated. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for horrify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for horrify
Verb
  • Judy Hernandez’ husband Raul, a co-founder of the community group the Resurrection Project, dismissed those plans as a political stunt geared to create fear and frighten Spanish-speaking people.
    Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Many of us are conditioned to think that our ultimate goal in life is to be with someone, so much so, that the mere thought of being alone frightens us.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • All of this terrified his father, Charlie, a former cop who had a premonition that something would go wrong.
    Seth Wickersham, The Atlantic, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Lewis, the five-star recruit and the people’s choice, looked good handing off and terrified on obvious passing downs.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Yet, at the same time, automation scares people.
    Arthur Azizov, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Parents, scared by the specter of brain damage, are reluctant to let their kids play tackle football.
    Seth Wickersham, The Atlantic, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Then the Buckel brothers arrived, intent on doing the same, and Smith was startled.
    Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Another Epstein accuser looked up, startled, to see where the deafening sound was coming from.
    Josh Meyer, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Horrify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horrify. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on horrify

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