as in to frighten
to strike with fear
the old black-and-white psychological thriller still horrifies audiences
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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 horrify
Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2025
Fierce and determined, and then uncertain and horrified by the toll this vital work takes on her personal life, Knightley is at her masterful, understated best.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 26 Mar. 2025
This concept horrified critics like William Empson, who saw it as depicting a cosmos ruled by an irrational deity whose rage toward humanity can be placated only by his son’s torture and death.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
In November 2022, the brutal murders of four University of Idaho students horrified residents of Moscow, a quiet college town that hadn't reported a murder in five years.
—Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for horrify
Verb
In Hartford, Nettie Parker and two friends said they were horrified by immigrants disappearing off the streets.
—Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2025
Fierce and determined, and then uncertain and horrified by the toll this vital work takes on her personal life, Knightley is at her masterful, understated best.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 26 Mar. 2025
This concept horrified critics like William Empson, who saw it as depicting a cosmos ruled by an irrational deity whose rage toward humanity can be placated only by his son’s torture and death.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
In November 2022, the brutal murders of four University of Idaho students horrified residents of Moscow, a quiet college town that hadn't reported a murder in five years.
—Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for horrify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for horrify
Adjective
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The teaser trailer showcases the epic highs and lows of professional football, with a focus on the lows, as all of this looks terrifying.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
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The teaser does feature a glimpse at Calypso, the man who hosts the tournament, as well as a signature laugh from Sweet Tooth the terrifying clown.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Surely Yellowstone, with its large predators and geothermal activity will deliver something gruesome.—
Wes Siler,
Outside Online,
19 Apr. 2025
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Realizing that the price of Remmick's offer is their souls, the living make a desperate last stand that results in the gruesome deaths of everyone but Smoke and Sammie.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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After the frightening threat, the man suddenly ran off in an unknown direction.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2025
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Serena Joy Waterford is among the most frightening, dead-hearted women ever written for the small screen.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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These types of horrific events by terrorists are why those of us who work for peace and stability in the world continue our mission.—
Danielle Wallace,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2025
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Of course, some eight hundred thousand did die—many in horrific ways—while the formerly enslaved were left to fend for themselves in a postwar state where apartheid was enforced by terror.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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So their arrival in the world of the New Avengers may be a harbinger of scary things to come.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
2 May 2025
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Director Felipe Vargas’ feature debut is first rate and genuinely scary but also has higher aspirations by reminding us of the dangers of ignoring our family history and for choosing to help out the wealthy and not those in need.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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In a shocking twist that nobody would've believed a week ago, the Browns spent their final pick, in the fifth round, on Shedeur Sanders.—
Bryce Lazenby,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Apr. 2025
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Porsha Williams’ birthday trip ended with a shocking accusation on the April 27 episode of The Real Housewives of Atlanta.—
Liza Esquibias,
People.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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One of our group hunted it on a rainy afternoon — traditionally a horrible time to bag a bird — and killed a 3-year-old tom. —A.M. Don’t Become Overly Reliant on Your Cameras Cameras aren’t magic.—
Andrew McKean,
Outdoor Life,
1 May 2025
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Big, wonderful, funny, horrible, strange, sad, great life.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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There are formidable breakfast burritos to be devoured all over Greater Los Angeles and Orange County.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2025
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There will be elections in Hungary next year, and Orbán, for the first time in decades, is facing a formidable challenger.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Horrify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horrify. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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