as in to frighten
to strike with fear
the old black-and-white psychological thriller still horrifies audiences
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Recent Examples of horrify
The deep cuts to the program have horrified those in the public health sphere.
—
Ars Technica, 14 Feb. 2025
Israelis were horrified by the sight of three emaciated hostages in an earlier release this month, and revelations about hostages being held alone, barefoot or in chains have increased the pressure on Netanyahu’s government to push ahead with the ceasefire’s next phase.
—Natalie Melzer, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025
TikTok users were equal parts amused and horrified, with many sharing their thoughts on the faux pas in the post’s comments section.
—Toria Sheffield, People.com, 1 Feb. 2025
But the obvious state was named after a guy called Penn which would horrify any devoted pencil manufacturer worth their weight in lead.
—Nick Thomas, Hartford Courant, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for horrify
Ars Technica, 14 Feb. 2025
Israelis were horrified by the sight of three emaciated hostages in an earlier release this month, and revelations about hostages being held alone, barefoot or in chains have increased the pressure on Netanyahu’s government to push ahead with the ceasefire’s next phase.
—Natalie Melzer, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025
TikTok users were equal parts amused and horrified, with many sharing their thoughts on the faux pas in the post’s comments section.
—Toria Sheffield, People.com, 1 Feb. 2025
But the obvious state was named after a guy called Penn which would horrify any devoted pencil manufacturer worth their weight in lead.
—Nick Thomas, Hartford Courant, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for horrify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for horrify
Verb
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On the streets, conservative protesters, frightened that the left could win the next election, have rallied to Yoon.—
ROBERT E. KELLY,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Feb. 2025
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That frightened stray kitten forgot her fears and moved up on that ball of paper and batted it across the floor and then batted it again.—
Carole Wendt,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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They are devastated by what has happened, and terrified of what could happen if the current ceasefire collapses and the war and bombing resumes.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
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The very idea of going to the Oscars on acid sounds terrifying AF, but so does coming off acid in the middle of the Oscars, which also happened to Parker and Stone.—
Lester Fabian Brathwaite,
EW.com,
2 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In 2023, a bear barged into a bakery in Avon, scared employees and helped itself to 60 cupcakes before ambling away.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
1 Mar. 2025
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Wise infuses a nurturing maturity and vulnerability in Nicole that scares Roger, and challenges him to confront his unhealthy relationship habits and general indecisiveness.—
Morgan A. Grain,
Essence,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Lilian, startled, looked around at the door, and that made the sisters laugh: Lilian, too, was tricked, just like the hedgehog.—
Yiyun Li,
The New Yorker,
9 Mar. 2025
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Homelessness and trauma can cause people to startle reflexively when touched, Greig says, part of the reason the site’s staff offers hugs to clients and encourages them to call family.—
Ian Willms,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Horrify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horrify. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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