1
as in terrifying
causing fear
couldn't sleep after reading a horrifying tale of evil a horrifying scream brought people running from all directions to see what was wrong
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gruesome
extremely disturbing or repellent
the horrifying sight of a rat running through the restaurant's kitchen
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in frightening
to strike with fear
the old black-and-white psychological thriller still horrifies audiences
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of horrifying
James Grebey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Absolutely horrifying to look at.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Devastating disease Symptoms of SSPE emerge in horrifying stages, starting with mood and personality changes, including depression.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2025
The twist sets off a series of sinister and shocking events, escalating the feud between the women, with Daniel caught in the middle of their horrifying escapades.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
The horrifying violence at Utah Valley University that took the life of Charlie Kirk is utterly appalling.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2025
The press could not have found a more ideal first witness to the horrifying display.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2025
Now Blitzer’s reporting paints a vivid—and horrifying—portrait of the lives that have been upended by the Administration’s most cruel policies.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Under Nathaniel Hackett’s 15-game watch of fans counting down the play clock, a player cursing out his quarterback, and teammates shoving one another on the sidelines and punching opponents, the sheer disconnect was comedic and horrifying.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
Time, 12 Sep. 2025
The grisly murder stayed a local story until horrifying CCTV footage of the incident started making the rounds on social media last weekend.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Every trip to the electric chair is horrifying; a sequence where an intentionally botched execution ignites a still-living prisoner's screaming head in ghoulish blue flames is up there with any supernatural fright King's ever conceived.
—James Grebey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Absolutely horrifying to look at.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Devastating disease Symptoms of SSPE emerge in horrifying stages, starting with mood and personality changes, including depression.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2025
The twist sets off a series of sinister and shocking events, escalating the feud between the women, with Daniel caught in the middle of their horrifying escapades.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
The horrifying violence at Utah Valley University that took the life of Charlie Kirk is utterly appalling.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2025
The press could not have found a more ideal first witness to the horrifying display.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2025
Now Blitzer’s reporting paints a vivid—and horrifying—portrait of the lives that have been upended by the Administration’s most cruel policies.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Under Nathaniel Hackett’s 15-game watch of fans counting down the play clock, a player cursing out his quarterback, and teammates shoving one another on the sidelines and punching opponents, the sheer disconnect was comedic and horrifying.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
Television cameras captured the ensuing violence, horrifying much of the nation.
—Time, 12 Sep. 2025
The grisly murder stayed a local story until horrifying CCTV footage of the incident started making the rounds on social media last weekend.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for horrifying
Adjective
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These shifting climates intimately shaped the biosphere over this span (and vice versa), and in occasional terrifying pulses, threatened to end it.—
Peter Brannen,
Quanta Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
-
That was a terrifying last four days.—
Marina Watts,
PEOPLE,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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On the other hand, both then and now, ubiquitous access to gruesome and horrifying imagery can have a corrosive social and cultural effect.—
Time,
Time,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Gein's gruesome crimes have also inspired films, including Psycho, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and The Silence of the Lambs.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Instances of swatting have been plaguing the nation for years, with fake shooting threats frightening the public and forcing schools, hospitals, grocery stores, office buildings, and airports into temporary lockdowns.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Unfortunately, on Wednesday during practice, the Steelers suffered a scary injury.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Life in the camp for the displaced was scary and hard.—
Forbes.com,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
There are many moments in the trailer that showcase some horrific imagery, such as Nina screaming and crying, and what appears to be the character also holding a bloody shard of glass.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
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As users sought information about Kirk’s condition, the bot, Grok, declared to some of them that the horrific footage was satire.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Can a horrible 17-year-old turn into a 31-year-old person with integrity and empathy?—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Can a 17-year-old horrible person turn into a 31-year-old person with integrity and empathy?—
R. Eric Thomas,
Denver Post,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The premiere also came with the shocking announcement of a double elimination next week.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
The speed at which Kirk’s death became content was almost as shocking as the assassination itself.—
Marly Berlin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But the 1997 film wasn't his first or last time scaring us on the big screen.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Unlike other security systems that passively report break-ins to customers or police, Sauron security agents are constantly monitoring to provide real-time incident responses such as watching and scaring away a would-be robber via their speaker system.—
Victoria Feng,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Horrifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horrifying. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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