Synonyms of horrify

horrify

verb

ˈhȯr-ə-ˌfī 

as in to frighten

to strike with fear

the old black-and-white psychological thriller still horrifies audiences

Synonyms & Similar Words

• frighten
• terrify
• scare
• startle
• shock
• spook
• terrorize
• panic
• fright
• scarify
• shake
• appal
• alarm
• appall
• affright
• amaze
• alarum
• astound
• distract
• make one's flesh crawl
• give one the creeps
• dismay
• make one's flesh creep
• awe
• shake up
• unnerve
• unsettle
• daunt
• jolt
• worry
• disturb
• dispirit
• emasculate
• disconcert
• discomfort
• upset
• demoralize
• distress
• perturb
• floor
• disquiet
• psych (out)
• unman
• undo
• bowl over
• discompose
• unstring
• chill

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reassure
• assure
• soothe
• comfort
• cheer
• encourage
• inspire
• console
• steel
• solace
• embolden
• hearten

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

Recent Examples of horrify

After his grisly crimes were uncovered, Gein spent his final years in psychiatric confinement far from the farmhouse that once horrified the nation. —Aya Al-Hakim, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025

They were horrified of debt, having lived through the Depression. —Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025

In this parallel universe, our heroes are horrified to learn, the Nazis won World War II. —Scott Meslow, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025

The poster, who left her Border collie there for a few days, was horrified to discover the day care had not only lost her dog, but had also tried to cover it up. —Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025