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 was the England of 1939, which horrified Forster with its antisemitism and politics of Nazi appeasement.
—
Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
The woman who was pistol-whipped during an armed robbery at a Family Dollar store in Albany Park last weekend said she was horrified to learn one of the two men who were arrested was also accused of later shooting two Chicago police officers, killing one of them.
—Jermont Terry, CBS News, 2 May 2026
Muirhead recalled being horrified and unable to process the admission right away.
—Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
The family of the teenage girl who allegedly was killed and dismembered by rising musician D4vd said they were shocked and horrified by the details revealed in court this week, according to a statement released by the family attorney.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for horrify
Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
The woman who was pistol-whipped during an armed robbery at a Family Dollar store in Albany Park last weekend said she was horrified to learn one of the two men who were arrested was also accused of later shooting two Chicago police officers, killing one of them.
—Jermont Terry, CBS News, 2 May 2026
Muirhead recalled being horrified and unable to process the admission right away.
—Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
The family of the teenage girl who allegedly was killed and dismembered by rising musician D4vd said they were shocked and horrified by the details revealed in court this week, according to a statement released by the family attorney.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for horrify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for horrify
Verb
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But the future Hall of Famer is coming off ACL surgery, might lack mobility, and has a receiving corps that frightens nobody.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
15 May 2026
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This war has been a disaster for them, frightening away foreign investors, tourists and talent and burdening them with a future of huge new defense bills to deter Iran after the United States is gone.—
Thomas L. Friedman,
Mercury News,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Don’t let the Frito pie flavor scare you away — Salt & Straw ice cream is known for its richness, packed with as much butter-fat content as possible — similar to Melt.—
Ella Gonzales
May 15,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 May 2026
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Over-regulating could scare more insurers away; under-regulating could inflate prices even more.—
Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards,
Mercury News,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Facing the endless Cylon onslaught in the void of space is terrifying even in 2D battles, but many of Scattered Hopes' gut punches happen during unexpected narrative events or tough choices that doom entire ship populations.—
Ian Stokes,
Space.com,
15 May 2026
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The phenomenon of lynching has always fascinated and terrified me, whether physical or mediated.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
14 May 2026
Verb
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On one occasion, a suckerfish was captured disappearing into a manta ray's backside after a diver swimming nearby appeared to startle it.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
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Avoid sudden movements or noises, which can startle animals.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Horrify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horrify. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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