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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nightmare
a situation or state that causes great suffering and unhappiness
had never experienced the horrors of war
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3
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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of horror
Still others were escaping the horrors of the Pol Pot regime in Cambodia.
—
Elizabeth Holtzman, Time, 9 June 2026
That meant not only more extreme shifts between horror, humor, and heart, but a larger number of characters and subplots to service.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 9 June 2026
And the horrors of the Middle Passage were intensely present.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 9 June 2026
Notably, Gen Z’s obsession with horror and true crime is the demographic’s way of learning about major world events and global issues.
—Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for horror
Elizabeth Holtzman, Time, 9 June 2026
That meant not only more extreme shifts between horror, humor, and heart, but a larger number of characters and subplots to service.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 9 June 2026
And the horrors of the Middle Passage were intensely present.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 9 June 2026
Notably, Gen Z’s obsession with horror and true crime is the demographic’s way of learning about major world events and global issues.
—Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for horror
Recent Examples of Synonyms for horror
Noun
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In New York state social studies classes, communism and socialism are presented as two economic systems that make things more equal and fair, with no historical references to the atrocities committed by socialist and communist regimes confiscating property.—
Betsy McCaughey,
Boston Herald,
8 June 2026
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For Holocaust Survivor Day, which is observed globally on June 4, nearly 130 survivors gathered with friends and neighbors at Temple Beth Emet in Cooper City to celebrate their lives and important contributions in educating future generations about the atrocities of the Holocaust.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
This is best for owners who want to offer a meaningful benefit to a growing team without the administrative nightmare of a full-scale corporate plan.—
Chris Kline,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
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That’s when the cleanup started…and when Scot Meisenheimer’s medical nightmares began.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Trim overhanging limbs and relocate furniture to avoid popular bird perches that drop messes onto your patio.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
11 June 2026
-
Three people are dead and she, a completely innocent party in this whole mess, is left holding the check.—
Josh Weiss,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Noun
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Israel launched airstrikes on central and western Iran after Tehran fired missiles at Israel, jolting major cities with explosions and raising fears the region is sliding back toward all-out war.—
Jon Gambrell,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
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Mexican authorities have previously expressed fears they could be used as weapons by rowdy fans.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Back to the governor and her disgust for all things immigration enforcement.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
4 June 2026
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Such a statistic often provokes a familiar gamut of responses from those who read it, from shock, disgust and anger to a debilitating sense of helplessness.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
Noun
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In a world so full of dread and awfulness, why not take a moment to read anonymous petty literary gossip on the internet?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Apr. 2026
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The relative excitement around the Rockies having arrived in San Diego at 6-6 is a reaction based on their relative awfulness.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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There is a reason why, if and when a goal is scored in the opening game between Mexico and South Africa on Thursday afternoon, TV directors will focus on the scenes of agony and ecstasy both on the pitch and in the stands at Estadio Azteca.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
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Witnesses to previous nitrogen executions in Alabama have described the condemned in apparent agony.—
Abigail Brooks,
NBC news,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
People went opening weekend to experience the frights in a communal setting.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
1 June 2026
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Copyright 2025, all frights reserved.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Horror.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horror. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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