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

From this spirited competition emerged two progenitors of modern horror, science fiction, and fantasy. — Maria Papadouris, JSTOR Daily, 20 Oct. 2026

Many horror hits are more fascinating or engrossing than terrifying. — David Faris, TheWeek, 20 Oct. 2026

Along with their organization’s missions, the pair picked horror because of the conversations the genre provokes. — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026

Recent alumni of the program include Curry Barker (class of ’23), writer and director of the breakout horror film Obsession, and Grace Reiter (class of ’24), one of this year’s two new Saturday Night Live cast members. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2026