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

He’s also been seen starring in the Money Heist spinoff Berlin and will be seen coming up in the untitled Meta series based on A24’s breakout horror film Talk to Me. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026

Lachman, who stars in this month’s release of horror movie Other Mommy, could see the potential. — Amira Hashish, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2026

This is a creation of the wildly successful teen horror writer behind Goosebumps, a sequel to a 2025 Tubi original. — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026

This year has included everything from a pair of OnlyFans dramedies to the horror-comedy hybrid Widow’s Bay, alongside the return of some big names like Ted Lasso and Silo. — Andrew Webster, The Verge, 6 Oct. 2026