1
as in terrifying
causing fear
couldn't sleep after reading a horrifying tale of evil a horrifying scream brought people running from all directions to see what was wrong
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gruesome
extremely disturbing or repellent
the horrifying sight of a rat running through the restaurant's kitchen
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in frightening
to strike with fear
the old black-and-white psychological thriller still horrifies audiences
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of horrifying
Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
The intelligent and horrifying tentacle creature attempts to latch onto Hermit, but is unsuccessful after Wendy saves him.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
To be clear, political violence is barbaric and horrifying.
—Billy Eichner, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2025
The crime itself was horrifying.
—Larry Magid, Mercury News, 21 Sep. 2025
On the other hand, both then and now, ubiquitous access to gruesome and horrifying imagery can have a corrosive social and cultural effect.
—Time, 20 Sep. 2025
Devastating disease Symptoms of SSPE emerge in horrifying stages, starting with mood and personality changes, including depression.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2025
The twist sets off a series of sinister and shocking events, escalating the feud between the women, with Daniel caught in the middle of their horrifying escapades.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
The horrifying violence at Utah Valley University that took the life of Charlie Kirk is utterly appalling.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2025
Time, 12 Sep. 2025
The grisly murder stayed a local story until horrifying CCTV footage of the incident started making the rounds on social media last weekend.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Mainstream Israeli media has increasingly spotlighted the dire starvation crisis in Gaza after months of Israel’s near-total aid blockade, horrifying some Israelis and triggering protests.
—Kristina Karisch, The Hill, 18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
The horrifying moment was broadcast live to fans, sparking grief and outrage.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
The intelligent and horrifying tentacle creature attempts to latch onto Hermit, but is unsuccessful after Wendy saves him.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
To be clear, political violence is barbaric and horrifying.
—Billy Eichner, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2025
The crime itself was horrifying.
—Larry Magid, Mercury News, 21 Sep. 2025
On the other hand, both then and now, ubiquitous access to gruesome and horrifying imagery can have a corrosive social and cultural effect.
—Time, 20 Sep. 2025
Devastating disease Symptoms of SSPE emerge in horrifying stages, starting with mood and personality changes, including depression.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2025
The twist sets off a series of sinister and shocking events, escalating the feud between the women, with Daniel caught in the middle of their horrifying escapades.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
The horrifying violence at Utah Valley University that took the life of Charlie Kirk is utterly appalling.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
Television cameras captured the ensuing violence, horrifying much of the nation.
—Time, 12 Sep. 2025
The grisly murder stayed a local story until horrifying CCTV footage of the incident started making the rounds on social media last weekend.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Mainstream Israeli media has increasingly spotlighted the dire starvation crisis in Gaza after months of Israel’s near-total aid blockade, horrifying some Israelis and triggering protests.
—Kristina Karisch, The Hill, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for horrifying
Adjective
-
The device sounded terrifying – an apparently new, nuclear capable IRBM, fired with multiple conventional warheads, that the Kremlin boasted could rip through European defenses.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
-
He’s supposed to be a terrifying mirror to our discontent.—
Emily Temple
September 30,
Literary Hub,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Gein committed many gruesome crimes, but cannibalism was not one of them.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
-
But one photo, far less gruesome, has been gnawing at me for weeks.—
Ruth Margalit,
New Yorker,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Instances of swatting have been plaguing the nation for years, with fake shooting threats frightening the public and forcing schools, hospitals, grocery stores, office buildings, and airports into temporary lockdowns.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
While some corn mazes are perfect for all ages and include activities especially for younger kids, others are more grown-up and may prove too scary or challenging for little ones.—
Meredith G. White,
AZCentral.com,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The new generation can’t afford to stay in the game, which is scary.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Those bots have attracted lawsuits in horrific instances where users lost their grip on reality or took their own lives after interacting with them.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Many of the base’s survivors have similarly described the singularly horrific nature of those 45 square miles in eastern Cuba.—
Miriam Pensack,
The Dial,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In a follow-up video, the owner revealed a gentle method for waking the puppy without startling her.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Miami could choose to move on from the star receiver due to the horrible season-ending injury.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Many of the game’s best teams spent the regular season alternating between brilliant and horrible.—
Levi Weaver,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
That’s the most shocking thing.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
30 Sep. 2025
-
As if that wasn’t enough motivation, the Horned Frogs (3-1, 0-1 Big 12) will face Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes (2-3, 0-2) for the first time since Sanders led the Buffs to a shocking 45-42 upset in Fort Worth to open the 2023 season.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Horrifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horrifying. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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