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 The horror comedy from Parks and Recreation writer Katie Dippold landed 19 nominations this morning including a nod in Outstanding Comedy Series as well as a nomination for star Matthew Rhys. — Peter White, Deadline, 8 July 2026 The series’ new iterations, starting with Fede Álvarez’s 2013 soft reboot Evil Dead, have largely abandoned its roots as horror-comedy in favor of orgiastic slaughter. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026 The horror-comedy, which stars Matthew Rhys as mayor of an island experiencing supernatural phenomena, has been a huge word-of-mouth hit for Apple TV. — Dan Heching, CNN Money, 8 July 2026 Decorate with a mix of summer and Halloween touches, throw a costume party, host a horror movie marathon or try some Summerween crafts. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 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
  • Supporters see the Colombian tribunal as a landmark that helped end Latin America’s longest-running guerrilla insurgency and hold those responsible for atrocities accountable.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2026
  • Both sides have denied committing war crimes, but Amnesty International last week said the RSF carried out ethnic cleansing and other atrocities in the city of el-Fasher.
    — Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of atrocity
Noun
  • Throughout the World Cup, videos have emerged on Instagram and TikTok of StubHub customers describing their nightmare experiences with the ticket-selling platform.
    — Lily Wright, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Nineties summer is based on the very real concern that 2026 summer is a nightmare of screens and microplastics.
    — Monica Hesse, Washington Post, 8 July 2026
Definition of nightmare
Noun
  • The coach inherited a mess and wiped the slate clean with 40-plus transfers.
    — Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • Melting suet turns rancid fast and creates a mess of bird plumage.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 July 2026
Definition of mess
Noun
  • When a massive Sonoma Coast residential development pitch sparked fears that beach access would be lost.
    — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
  • While adults like Osul are looking for ways to rebuild their own lives, children are learning to live with fear, grief, uncertainty – and how to make sense of the tragedy.
    — Osmary Hernández, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Definition of fear
Noun
  • Most fishermen confine their angling to early morning and late evening, and the pike fishermen of early spring have given up in disgust.
    — Jack G. Mell, Outdoor Life, 2 July 2026
  • Mbappé hit a post in the 32nd minute, raising both hands in disgust, and France nearly went ahead four minutes later on Olise's spectacular bicycle kick from just inside the penalty area, which also clanked off a post.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 1 July 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
  • Rojas said the earthquakes have caused agony for Venezuelan players, even those who didn’t lose family or friends.
    — Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2026
  • There were the two calls in September, one about a detainee who lay on the floor holding his stomach in agony and unable to speak after swallowing an unknown object.
    — Perla Trevizo, ProPublica, 3 July 2026
Definition of agony
Noun
  • Both O’Flynn and Rhys have had spotlight episodes so far this season, but will Emmys voters see the pathos and creativity behind the laughs and frights?
    — William Earl, Variety, 11 June 2026
  • Copyright 2025, all frights reserved.
    — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Definition of fright

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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 13 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of horror for Spanish Speakers

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