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horror

noun

ˈhȯr-ər How to pronounce horror (audio)
Definition of horrornext
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

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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
as in mess
something unpleasant to look at are you really going to hang that horror on the wall?

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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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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 Nothing says horror movie like glow-in-the-dark blood stains in your hotel room. — Aly Walansky, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 2026 That result shocked many Germans who had believed their country had developed an immunity to nationalism and assertions of racial superiority after confronting the horrors of its Nazi past through education and laws to prohibit persecution. — Arkansas Online, 21 Sep. 2026 That result shocked many Germans who had believed their country had developed an immunity to nationalism and assertions of racial superiority after confronting the horrors of its Nazi past through education and laws to outlaw persecution. — ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026 Multiple stars of the hit Apple TV horror-comedy also took home acting Emmys, and creator Katie Dippold won outstanding writing for a comedy series. — Joe Murphy, NBC news, 19 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for horror
Recent Examples of Synonyms for horror
  1. atrocity
  2. nightmare
  3. mess
  4. fear
  5. disgust
  6. awfulness
  7. agony
  8. fright
Noun
  • Many social media users suggested Pearman may have missed the point of the somber experience of visiting a living memorial where one of history’s greatest atrocities occurred.
    — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The stakes are high, as Israeli officials campaign against Abraham and Szor’s citizenship status, and atrocity in Gaza wages on.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of atrocity
Noun
  • The exhibition puts designer Pierre-Olivier Persin’s bust of the creature alongside the syringes, vials and other medical paraphernalia from the mysterious Substance kit that sets the movie’s nightmare in motion.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Watching a cheesy sitcom opening turn into a bloody field day for a time-traveling serial killer or unedited footage of a bear turn into a pharmaceutical nightmare is the ultimate expression of that unapologetic commitment to keeping us on our toes.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of nightmare
Noun
  • Driver is the unreliable but well-intentioned brother/uncle who gets them into this sordid mess.
    — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 26 Sep. 2026
  • An aluminum core helps distribute heat evenly, while drip-free pouring rims help keep messes contained.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of mess
Noun
  • Retaliation is not unheard of in higher education and fear of scheming colleagues is common.
    — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
  • That’s a major shift from earlier this year, when fears of AI disruption, concerns about Copilot, and heavy data center spending weighed on the stock.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of fear
Noun
  • Amateur humiliation content has become widespread on the internet, giving Americans more opportunities than ever to indulge in gleeful disgust or righteous outrage.
    — Daniel LaChance, The Conversation, 21 Sep. 2026
  • This week’s list of South Florida restaurants failing inspection doesn’t bring volume — four restaurants — but does bring a strong amount of disgust.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of disgust
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of awfulness
Noun
  • There are few harsher agonies than waiting, and throughout the great expanse of the CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix presented by Rolex at the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’, two riders felt that in very different ways.
    — Tilly Berendt, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • But for Roma, the agony for his missing son did not end that day.
    — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of agony
Noun
  • But don’t worry, all the frights and fun are still heading our way soon.
    — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Moments later their fun turned into fright as the coyote continued attacking the child, even after Cardinal yelled at it.
    — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of fright

Browse Nearby Words

horrifying
horror
horrors
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Cite this Entry

“Horror.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horror. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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