1
as in dreadfulness
the quality of inspiring intense dread or dismay
it's difficult to even begin to comprehend the horror of the Holocaust
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nightmare
a situation or state that causes great suffering and unhappiness
had never experienced the horrors of war
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
4
as in fear
the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger
imagine my horror at finding myself face to face with a lion on the loose
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in disgust
a dislike so strong as to cause stomach upset or queasiness
cat lover or no, she regards cleaning the litter box with horror
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of horror
Ryan Coogler’s historical vampire horror and Paul Thomas Anderson’s comedic political thriller were among the nominees for the 78th Writers Guild Awards announced Tuesday.
—
Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
The atmospheric horror series, executive produced by Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer and directed and executive produced by Weronika Tofilska (Baby Reindeer), takes place in the week leading up to a doomed wedding, following the bride and groom.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2026
Soon there will be no living voices to bear witness to the horrors of the Holocaust.
—Elliott Broidy, Sun Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
The witty horror comedy takes inspiration from Stine's most memorable stories, from a haunted mask to Slappy the Dummy, while also charting its own path as a commentary on the anxieties faced by high schoolers today.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for horror
Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
The atmospheric horror series, executive produced by Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer and directed and executive produced by Weronika Tofilska (Baby Reindeer), takes place in the week leading up to a doomed wedding, following the bride and groom.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2026
Soon there will be no living voices to bear witness to the horrors of the Holocaust.
—Elliott Broidy, Sun Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
The witty horror comedy takes inspiration from Stine's most memorable stories, from a haunted mask to Slappy the Dummy, while also charting its own path as a commentary on the anxieties faced by high schoolers today.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for horror
Recent Examples of Synonyms for horror
Noun
-
Not to be overly dramatic, but dressing up for the office is basically my nightmare.—
Jamie Allison Sanders,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
-
That perfect life becomes a nightmare, or is revealed to have been one all along.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Ideally, provide a range of low-mess snacks that can easily be eaten during gameplay, or take dedicated food breaks throughout the game so your game tiles don’t get covered with food.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Republicans are publicly calling for the removal of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and privately freaking out that her Minnesota mess will doom their chances of holding Congress in the 2026 midterms.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
His greatest fear is summer — when warm weather could bring even larger crowds if enforcement is still ongoing.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Students without legal status couldn’t speak out without fear of deportation, and universities were rushing to determine how to implement the ruling.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In some sense, there’s a palpable disgust that this community has responded not by cowering, not by submitting, not by being grateful for this sort of armed invasion that is meant to stress everyone out, but by trying to foil it.—
Hanna Rosin,
The Atlantic,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Democrats responded primarily with expressions of outrage and disgust.—
Christine Zhang,
New York Times,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
All three play key roles in the library scene—in which Walker’s revolutionaries, seeking justice for a racial atrocity, hold Morgan’s collection hostage—but none had visited the real thing, on Thirty-sixth Street.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The city saw some of the terror group’s worst atrocities.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
18 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
That data may suffer from recency bias—the last memory of fans who enjoy part of a great match but eventually lose their seat is negative, whereas fans who waited for hours to get into the end of a great match may forget the agony of the wait.—
Lev Akabas,
Sportico.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
One lives vicariously with the band through the agony of the days when creativity was limited by how much tape was available or how much space there was on a single album without making the perilous leap to double.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Knott’s has unveiled its annual Seasons of Fun calendar that includes events dedicated to Peanuts characters, Boysenberry treats, summertime barbecues, Halloween frights and Christmas cheer.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
29 Dec. 2025
-
Though Heitor is claimed to be no more harmful than a puppy, there are some moments of fright for Griff who is a little uneasy acting opposite him and at one point panics and tosses him overboard, resulting in Heitor’s gruesome demise.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
23 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
This year, anxiety over the federal government and a wavering stock market is making people less secure in their finances, causing some tenants to move in with family or friends — leaving studio and one-bedroom apartments empty.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The nonprofit, formerly known as Sattvic Meals Foundation, aims to address hunger anxiety at community colleges.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Horror.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horror. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
