as in frightened
filled with fear or dread
horror-struck, the villagers watched helplessly as the tsunami hit the shore
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Recent Examples of horror-struck
Other people were horror-struck by the verdicts in each of these cases, seeing them as a catastrophic failure of the American system of justice.
—
Susan Shelley, Orange County Register, 31 May 2024
Susan Shelley, Orange County Register, 31 May 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for horror-struck
Adjective
-
The facile novelty of adultery is its own mask, a sexy way of dressing up a deep, frightened longing for security.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
-
He wasn’t arrested, but Toni Jo was frightened enough to relinquish custody of him and return to Saudi Arabia.—
James Verini,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Everyone is terrified but grateful for this gift Ennis and Gary have given them.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2026
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But her mother, too terrified to take out the garbage, let alone venture through the city to a hospital, canceled the procedure.—
Kate Wells,
NPR,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Elizabeth Hurley isn't afraid of a re-wear.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
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Don't be afraid of the rainy season.—
Tom Vanderbilt,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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And so understandably, Steve was scared and worried about Tony's wellbeing.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
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The other version of Eztatlán is one most people are scared to talk about.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
And the posts do tend to trigger horrified reactions from other TikTok users.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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The partygoers don’t really know how to react until Stab interrupts the performance to choke Kid out, and then everyone becomes horrified.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Still, the deal still did catch some off guard, including the trial’s own judge Judge Arun Subramanian, who was shocked to learn that while an agreement was reached last week, the court wasn’t alerted until Monday.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
9 Mar. 2026
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Even Jordan looked shocked as the audience rose to its feet and Viola Davis, the award’s presenter, celebrated.—
Jake Coyle,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The law enforcement steps have alarmed election officials and Democrats who fear that the administration is building an argument for interfering in this year’s midterm elections.—
Isaac Arnsdorf,
Washington Post,
9 Mar. 2026
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Donnie is alarmed to find her in a room that, according to the board, is unoccupied.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Residents in the capital told ABC News the streets were quiet on Monday, with many people having left or else sheltering indoors fearful of airstrikes.—
Patrick Reevell,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
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The other aunt, who does not have children, is in hiding — fearful to approach her front door and risk being seen.—
Anna Heqimi,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Horror-struck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horror-struck. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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