HORROR-STRUCK Synonyms: 102 Similar and Opposite Words

horror-struck

adjective

ˈhȯr-ər-ˌstrək

Definition of horror-struck

as in frightened

filled with fear or dread horror-struck, the villagers watched helplessly as the tsunami hit the shore

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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-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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for horror-struck

Adjective

Use of QACs soared during the Covid-19 pandemic as frightened masses sanitized themselves and nearly everything else in sight.

— Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
Families were frightened, communities were looking for guidance, and clinicians were desperate for answers.

— Ronald Nahass, STAT, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of frightened

Adjective

During the attack, terrified students huddled together under their desks, sobbing as gunshots rang out nearby, video filmed inside a classroom and verified by CNN showed.

— Helen Regan, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
At a news conference, Twin Falls police released dramatic surveillance video that showed terrified employees diving for cover and shielding one another.

— Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of terrified

Adjective

And many of them weren’t afraid to make that known on social media.

— Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026
The logic is that if colleges are afraid to sign a player out of fear of retaliation, the player won’t receive the benefits of Judge Sweeney’s order granting the injunction.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of afraid

Adjective

Lastly, to dull the war-mongering vigor of the Rivermen, Ormund installs small, scared little boys, ripped from their homes, all along the chemin de ronde — a baby human shield for Ser Daeron the Daring’s great army.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
And feeling so scared and so overwound by the idea that this was going to make or break our career.

— Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of scared

Adjective

In one early scene, a horrified Pam stares into her bathroom mirror, covered head to toe in blood.

— Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 13 July 2026
The first police officer on the scene quickly ran back to the station for help, while neighbors calmed the horrified Lizzie.

— Sophia Zhang, Encyclopedia Britannica, 16 June 2026

Definition of horrified

Adjective

Owens immediately went after Balor and Gunther while Zayn stood in the ring shocked.

— Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026
But the night went from spooky to spellbinding when the stars of the beloved 1998 fantasy film revealed themselves to the shocked crowd of fans.

— Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of shocked

Adjective

People leaders are increasingly fearful that AI is putting them out of a job, as the number of people working in employment services is down.

— Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026
Even Haitians who have been naturalized or hold green cards are keeping a low profile, fearful of being caught in an immigration raid.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of fearful

Browse Nearby Words

horror shows

horror-struck

hors d'oeuvre

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“Horror-struck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horror-struck. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of horror-struck

adjective

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