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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of horrifying
Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 5 Jan. 2026
But this super drug has horrifying consequences.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 5 Jan. 2026
From horrifying films about a snowman's murderous rampage and folkloric Christmas demons who terrorize not-so-nice families to comedies with a bit of edge and raunchy humor, these titles would certainly make Santa's naughty list.
—Lydia Price, PEOPLE, 23 Dec. 2025
The camera captures the procedure in an extreme close-up of Elvira’s eye and reverse shots from Elvira’s horrifying perspective.
—Andrew McGowan, Variety, 23 Dec. 2025
Carleton realizes the horrifying event in Toronto will likely loom over him for the rest of his life.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 20 Dec. 2025
As the second night of Hanukkah got underway, many said what happened in Australia was horrifying and an attack on Jewish communities everywhere.
—Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025
What should have been a night of peace and joy celebrated in that community with families and supporters has been shattered by this horrifying, evil attack.
—Omer Bekin, NBC news, 15 Dec. 2025
Police say a father and son were behind the horrifying mass shooting that left 16 people dead, including one of the gunmen, and 40 people hospitalized during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia.
—Elizabeth Pritchett , Anders Hagstrom , Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 14 Dec. 2025
Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025
No special effects were required to trigger Curry's stark drift from amiability to horrifying emptiness.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Oct. 2025
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
Mainstream Israeli media has increasingly spotlighted the dire starvation crisis in Gaza after months of Israel’s near-total aid blockade, horrifying some Israelis and triggering protests.
—Kristina Karisch, The Hill, 18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Over the weekend, we were reminded of an even more horrifying football ritual following the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
—Verb
The visage, created by Universal Studio’s then-lead makeup artist Jack Pierce for the 1931 film, was horrifying enough that its influence endured for almost 100 years.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for horrifying
Adjective
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Humans could suddenly step into a box, perhaps hear gears grind, and then exit the box on a different floor—and even as safety features were innovated, that was terrifying.—
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Madigan's character, the elderly aunt of several of the students, became a cult favorite, both terrifying and delighting audiences.—
Adjective
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Peter offers her not only logic — a picture in which all the parts, however gruesome, fit together — but salvation.—
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The prosecution argued that being on drugs didn't excuse the gruesome attack.—
Verb
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But monks there complained that the slain king was walking around at night, frightening them with strange sounds.—
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Kids will love sending this Dilophosaurus sauntering across the floor, frightening everything and everyone in his path.—
Adjective
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The only thing scarier to horror fans might just be Amy Madigan losing for Weapons.—
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Families will love Hiccup’s Wing Gliders in the Isle of Berk, a not-too-scary coaster that still delivers thrills.—
Adjective
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Wednesday afternoon, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the shooting horrific.—
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From a horrific account of an asteroid hitting Earth to an evil AI computer capable of designing deadly activities, readers will face the dark and mysterious corners of the human experience.—
Verb
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After scaring off the animal, one of the hikers, a physician, attempted to revive Kovatch, but did not find a pulse.—
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Talk openly about world events—without scaring them Even young children absorb bits of information about conflict, violence, and disaster—whether through classmates, TV in a waiting room, or overheard adult conversations.—
Adjective
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Are there horrible smells wafting around?—
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Jimmy Kimmel was horrible, and some of these people.—
Adjective
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The shocking decision sends ripples through the Washington program and the college football transfer portal.—
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There are some great twists and turns leading to a shocking but very satisfying ending.—
Cite this Entry
“Horrifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horrifying. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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