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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nightmare
a situation or state that causes great suffering and unhappiness
had never experienced the horrors of war
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of horror
FilmQuest, one of the largest and fastest growing film festivals specializing in sci-fi, fantasy and horror, has announced its 2025 lineup.
—
Jordan Moreau, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
The adults in the call center piece the scene together while trying to keep the horror out of their voices.
—Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2025
Weapons — the horror hit starring Julia Garner and Josh Brolin — is reportedly coming soon to digital streaming.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Sam Raimi and Roy Lee are teaming up with Lionsgate for some horror magic.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for horror
Jordan Moreau, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
The adults in the call center piece the scene together while trying to keep the horror out of their voices.
—Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2025
Weapons — the horror hit starring Julia Garner and Josh Brolin — is reportedly coming soon to digital streaming.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Sam Raimi and Roy Lee are teaming up with Lionsgate for some horror magic.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for horror
Recent Examples of Synonyms for horror
Noun
-
Instead, the interview was a PR nightmare that forced Andrew to step back from his public royal duties.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
5 Sep. 2025
-
At 6 feet and blessed with great athletic ability, Moore was a matchup nightmare.—
Doug Feinberg,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
If the mess-maker is solid, use a spatula, dull kitchen knife, or the edge of a credit card to lift it from the surface of the upholstery.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The first crazy thing that happens to the movie Smurls is when a kitchen chandelier almost falls on them, though the most visceral is when oldest sister Dawn Smurl (Beau Gadsdon) suddenly vomits up pieces of glass, leaving the sink and her face a bloody mess.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But all friends need to be honest with each other, to tell each other home truths when it’s needed, to confront those awkward moments without fear of the reaction.—
Steve Sedgwick,
CNBC,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The progressive fear that the Abundance movement wants to take over the Democratic Party isn’t baseless at all — its adherents have plenty of influence in it now.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
While the first two horsemen are concerned with frustration and blame, contempt serves to convey disgust.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
So, at the ripe old age of 42, and much to his family’s disgust, Paul takes up the life of the artist, leaving (presumably rent-free) in his aunt’s surprisingly sizable studio flat in a suburb of Paris.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
What if the atrocities amount to genocide?—
Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
So much atrocity, so much terror is unbearable.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Hank, having already experienced life-changing failure, is also able to absorb beatings that would destroy most people, endure the agony, and leap back into action.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
28 Aug. 2025
-
The buddy story ended in agony when it was revealed that Edwards was on the list and complicit in the ambush plot.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Now, a grown-up Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) faces new and familiar frights after her equally goth daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), opens a portal to the Netherworld and reawakens everyone's favorite pinstriped ghost.—
Emy LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Haunted Scream Park opening weekend 'Tis the season for frights and delights!—
Caroline Ritzie,
The Enquirer,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
At the council meeting for the resolution, several migrants and their families spoke in favor of its passage, expressing their anxieties in day-to-day life, according to The Chronicle.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The starting point is learning to cultivate present-moment awareness and simply noticing your anxiety.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Horror.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horror. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share