horrendous

adjective

hor·​ren·​dous hȯ-ˈren-dəs How to pronounce horrendous (audio)
hä-,
hə-
: extremely bad or unpleasant : horrible, dreadful
His audition was horrendous.
horrendous crimes
horrendously adverb

Examples of horrendous in a Sentence

Her taste in clothes is horrendous. a horrendous explosion shook the building
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Environmental Concerns as a Motivator for Peace The ecological damage and human cost of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is horrendous. Saleem H. Ali, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025 In remarks to Trump's son-in-law and former advisor, Jared Kushner, at a summit in Miami on Thursday hosted by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, Witkoff said conditions in Gaza are horrendous. Aya Batrawy, NPR, 22 Feb. 2025 Most-clicked in the newsletter yesterday: The details on UConn’s horrendous — and historic — loss to Seton Hall on Saturday. Chris Branch, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025 The fact is, the horrendous Oct. 7 act of terrorism, the most horrific assault on Jews that took place on unprotected Israeli soil, does not give anyone the right to decide the destiny of an entire population and move them like cattle without their input. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for horrendous

Word History

Etymology

Latin horrendus "inspiring terror or awe, dreadful" (gerundive of horrēre "to be stiffly erect, bristle, shudder, shiver") + -ous — more at horror entry 1

First Known Use

1659, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of horrendous was in 1659

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Horrendous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/horrendous. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

horrendous

adjective
hor·​ren·​dous hȯ-ˈren-dəs How to pronounce horrendous (audio)
hä-,
hə-
horrendously adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on horrendous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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