HORRIBLE Synonyms: 273 Similar and Opposite Words

horrible 1 of 2

adjective

ˈhȯr-ə-bəl

Definition of horrible

as in horrific

extremely disturbing or repellent a horrible car accident that left eyewitnesses in a state of shock

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in terrifying

causing fear a horrible scream that made shivers go up and down our spines

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in awful

causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment I can never forgive her for the horrible way she treated me

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in terrible

extremely unsatisfactory I'm never going back to that restaurant; the service was horrible

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

horrible

2 of 2

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 horrible

Adjective

Afterward, the house was left vacant and facing foreclosure, and photos shared by Landmarks Illinois shared last year showed the interior in horrible shape. — Noel Brennan, CBS News, 25 June 2026 Horton, who married Rickman in 2012 in a private ceremony after more than 40 years together, also told the outlet that the diagnosis had been a horrible shock to them both. — Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026 If only there wasn’t a horrible storm hitting Chicago right as The Bear is already experiencing its own turmoil — no money, barely any ingredients, and now the building is quite literally falling apart. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 26 June 2026 Luke Hales / Getty Images Major League Baseball could be barreling toward a horrible year in 2027, when games could be canceled amid a labor dispute. — Evan Drellich, New York Times, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for horrible

Recent Examples of Synonyms for horrible

Adjective

Chicago city officials have never forgotten the lessons of the historic and horrific heat wave of July 1995, which killed 739 people in the Chicago area.

— Darius Johnson, CBS News, 29 June 2026
Many of these countries are well known for horrific human rights abuses, lack of justice and abysmal detention conditions.

— Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026

Definition of horrific

Adjective

That year, the Potomac River turned violent, as intense, heavy rains pushed the water to a terrifying, near-record flood level of 60,000 cubic feet per second.

— Jasmine Baehr , Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
Just like waiting for the release of the bull, the ride vehicle will pause for three seconds before a terrifying 285-foot drop.

— Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026

Definition of terrifying

Adjective

One year Pippa Middleton faced the awful shame of having to sit in a normal seat after showing up late.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Sugar is at the forensic lab with the corpse of a man who looks an awful lot like Ji Moon but isn’t Ji Moon (courtesy of Shea Whigham as Tom Flybjerg).

— Andy Andersen, Vulture, 27 June 2026

Definition of awful

Adjective

Thank you to everyone who read or contributed to this column over the years, who reached out to me with story ideas or tips, or complimented my terrible artwork.

— Zach Wichter, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Visitors will see his Rough Riders uniform; the 1884 diary grieving his terrible loss; and the eyeglasses case, speech and shirt from the 1912 assassination attempt against him.

— CBS News, CBS News, 1 July 2026

Definition of terrible

Noun

Thibault in a news conference Tuesday said that authorities believe the incident was not related to terror.

— Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 30 June 2026
Meanwhile, frightful aftershocks continued to rock the area, sowing terror in a population already reaching the limits of endurance.

— Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

Definition of terror

Adjective

Chris Brown was found liable by a Los Angeles jury on Tuesday for $13 million in the gruesome case of a dog that mauled and disfigured his housekeeper at his home in 2020.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 1 July 2026
But as the days dragged on, headlines about power outages and water shortages took a back seat to a far more gruesome and horrific reality.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 1 July 2026

Definition of gruesome

Adjective

Spain are a more understated attacking unit, and there’s a sense that while Lamine Yamal has been excellent, there is another gear for the Barcelona 18-year-old to find, which is fairly frightening for everyone else.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 4 July 2026
For millions of individuals and businesses who rely on professional preparers, the answer portends a frightening prospect if the return preparer is dishonest.

— Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Definition of frightening

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“Horrible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horrible. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of horrible

adjective

noun

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