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.
What a horrendous betrayal by our closest ally… just tragic. David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025 The Browns are coming off a horrendous 3-14 season, where quarterback Deshaun Watson, who struggled mightily, tore his Achilles to end his season prematurely. Scott Thompson, Fox News, 3 Feb. 2025 The Boss Baby: Family Business (2021) An unconscionable 107 minutes long, The Boss Baby: Family Business is horrendous on just about every level. James Grebey, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2025 The blinding conditions and blowing snow were horrendous. Scott Haugen, Outdoor Life, 30 Jan. 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

Dictionary Entries Near horrendous

Cite this Entry

“Horrendous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/horrendous. Accessed 11 Feb. 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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