Synonyms of horror

horror

noun

ˈhȯr-ər 

1

as in dreadfulness

the quality of inspiring intense dread or dismay

it's difficult to even begin to comprehend the horror of the Holocaust

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dreadfulness
• atrocity
• frightfulness
• awfulness
• gruesomeness
• ghastliness
• fearfulness
• repulsiveness
• hideousness
• horridness
• agony
• grisliness
• badness
• anguish
• torture
• atrociousness
• misery
• sinfulness
• evil
• vileness
• monstrosity
• heinousness
• baseness
• evilness
• wickedness
• viciousness
• foulness
• immorality
• depravity
• loathsomeness
• scariness
• torment
• invidiousness
• ghoulishness
• eeriness
• ungodliness
• hatefulness
• iniquity
• creepiness
• ghostliness
• fearsomeness
• depravedness
• hellishness
• diabolicalness
• iniquitousness
• cursedness
• accursedness
• despicableness
• execrableness
• reprehensibleness
• detestableness
• deplorableness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pleasantness
• agreeableness
• appeal
• attraction
• delightfulness
• desirability
• attractiveness
• pleasurableness
• allurement
• desirableness

2

as in nightmare

a situation or state that causes great suffering and unhappiness

had never experienced the horrors of war

Synonyms & Similar Words

• nightmare
• agony
• misery
• torture
• torment
• murder
• curse
• hell
• tragedy
• ordeal
• misfortune
• calamity
• Gehenna
• tribulation
• cross
• trial
• affliction
• calvary
• thorn
• drag
• gall
• downer
• bummer

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• heaven
• joy
• pleasure
• entertainment
• recreation
• delight
• fun
• diversion
• paradise
• riot
• picnic
• lark

3

as in mess

something unpleasant to look at

are you really going to hang that horror on the wall?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• mess
• fright
• eyesore
• sight
• monstrosity
• hideosity
• stain
• blot
• smear
• eye-catcher
• smudge
• spot

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• vision

4

as in fear

the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger

imagine my horror at finding myself face to face with a lion on the loose

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fear
• anxiety
• fearfulness
• terror
• dread
• panic
• fright
• trepidation
• scare
• dismay
• worry
• alarm
• concern
• phobia
• nervousness
• pang
• creeps
• consternation
• agitation
• jitters
• twinge
• perturbation
• funk
• apprehension
• cowardice
• disquiet
• timidity
• qualm
• willies
• discomposure
• faintheartedness
• timorousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• assurance
• confidence
• boldness
• aplomb
• courage
• self-confidence
• daring
• bravery
• fortitude
• fearlessness
• gallantry
• valor
• intrepidity
• hardihood
• stoutness
• self-assurance
• nerve
• audacity
• intrepidness
• guts
• dauntlessness
• courageousness
• doughtiness

5

as in disgust

a dislike so strong as to cause stomach upset or queasiness

cat lover or no, she regards cleaning the litter box with horror

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disgust
• hatred
• nausea
• distaste
• revulsion
• repulsion
• repugnance
• disapproval
• loathing
• aversion
• hate
• displeasure
• abomination
• abhorrence
• antipathy
• allergy
• dislike
• disliking
• execration
• disinclination
• averseness
• disfavor

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• love
• taste
• use
• preference
• appetite
• fondness
• favor
• liking
• propensity
• bent
• fancy
• predilection
• relish
• penchant
• partiality
• like
• shine

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of horror

But in between the jump scares and supernatural horrors is a story of motherhood and confronting the past. — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026

Neon hasn’t done a ton of platform releases of late, even with some of its horror titles. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026

Now an adult, the actress had a guest role on The Secret Life of the American Teenager and appeared in the 2013 horror films Nightcomer, Beneath, and Ghost Shark. — Dustin Nelson, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Aug. 2026

Cinespia, Los Angeles’ iconic outdoor cinematic experience, has unveiled its spooky lineup for the month of October, where horror fans will be able to watch some of their favorite cult films among the dead at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. — Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026