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
So far, the internet is horrified by the viral video of Dune that has 1 million likes and more than 13,000 comments.
—
Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 July 2025
More painful is that Kidman wears a horrifying yellow-tinged wig.
—Jihane Bousfiha, Vulture, 2 July 2025
Based on the first novella in Martha Wells’ book series, Murderbot is a sci-fi thriller/comedy about a self-hacking security construct who is horrified by human emotion yet drawn to its vulnerable clients, played by Alexander Skarsgård.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 10 July 2025
Animal lovers were moved and horrified by the rescue of a tiny orange kitten, found with a broken glass jar around his neck.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for horrify
Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 July 2025
More painful is that Kidman wears a horrifying yellow-tinged wig.
—Jihane Bousfiha, Vulture, 2 July 2025
Based on the first novella in Martha Wells’ book series, Murderbot is a sci-fi thriller/comedy about a self-hacking security construct who is horrified by human emotion yet drawn to its vulnerable clients, played by Alexander Skarsgård.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 10 July 2025
Animal lovers were moved and horrified by the rescue of a tiny orange kitten, found with a broken glass jar around his neck.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for horrify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for horrify
Verb
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Stink bugs tend to drop when frightened, so fill a cup with soapy water and hold it under the stink bug.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
19 July 2025
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What starts as a simple favor to keep her great-niece turns into a wild Halloween night filled with jump scares and pranks — but as usual, nothing frightens her more than bad manners and disrespect. Boo 2!—
Jane LaCroix,
People.com,
13 July 2025
Verb
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The trauma of the killings left her terrified to close her eyes and sleeping in her mom’s bed for reassurance no one would harm her.—
Rachel Roberts,
Idaho Statesman,
24 July 2025
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Chuck Schumer is terrified, but that's the reality of where Democrats are today.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 July 2025
Verb
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There’s a thread of carbolic soap, though not enough to scare away those even moderately familiar with smoky Islay Scotch.—
David Thomas Tao,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
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Officials used horns, sirens and lights to scare the dogs away from Culbertson, according to KC Pet Project documents obtained by The Star.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee,
Kansas City Star,
22 July 2025
Verb
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He remains easily startled by loud noises, avoids direct eye contact, and is wary of new visitors.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 July 2025
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The formidable climb of YouTube in audience and influence has indeed startled the pop culture universe.—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
17 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Horrify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horrify. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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