HORRIFYING Synonyms: 152 Similar and Opposite Words

horrifying 1 of 2

adjective

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

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

horrifying

2 of 2

verb

present participle of horrify

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

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 horrifying

Adjective

The supermodel, known for going above and beyond with her elaborate (and often horrifying) costume creations, has unveiled a sneak peek at this year’s outfit. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Oct. 2026 To see that beautiful sense of community shattered by senseless violence is devastating, and learning that multiple victims are children is even more horrifying. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026 These horrifying yet beguiling events might just hold some secrets to understanding the universe. — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026 Last May, Backrooms — about a horrifying liminal space that exists beyond our own reality — smashed box office records. — Ayesha Rascoe, NPR, 18 Oct. 2026 Friday the 13th invented the subgenre and remains horrifying to this day. — Rebekah Faubion, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2026 The horrifying filing details how bullies harassed her with Nazi salutes, slurs, and brutal violence following the October 7 massacre. — Staff, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026 Part of the horrifying incident, as Kariem struck the cart, was recorded on the coaster camera that captures images for riders, another witness told the station. — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026 While a mildly horrifying thought, experts say deep cleaning your carpets every six to 12 months can help keep the stinks at bay, along with microscopic pests and allergens lurking deep in the fibers. — Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Oct. 2026

Verb

On Christmas Day, Neon will weigh in with the best of the three, Luca Guadagnino’s Artificial, a humorous and ultimately horrifying account of 20 years of AI evolution and a scorching portrait of OpenAI founder Sam Altman. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026 The crime scene was gruesome, horrifying those who were summoned to the Second Street home in the wake of the attacks. — Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026 The complications are horrifying doctors. — Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 24 June 2026 In the years since Boogie Nights, Leo has made an unlikely hit out of The Man in the Iron Mask, then took the role of Patrick Bateman in American Psycho, showing off his range and turning that surreal and often horrifying movie into another $100 million feather in his cap. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026 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. — 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for horrifying

Adjective

What started as a routine bike ride home turned into a terrifying fight for survival for Katherine Marroquin on Sunday night.

— Naveen Dhaliwal, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
In Carroll Gardens, says Cavallo, a house on Henry Street, between Carroll and President, is so terrifying some kids have to cross the street.

— Fiorella Valdesolo, Curbed, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of terrifying

Verb

For Cox and Walker, the challenge was to introduce horror-film conventions without frightening the franchise’s youngest viewers.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026
Powell tried to open the stall door, and then began fondling himself, frightening the 11-year-old, who tried to leave, but Powell blocked him from getting out.

— Todd Feurer, CBS News, 6 June 2026

Definition of frightening

Adjective

Bad dreams – like scary stories – work as fire drills for the developing brain.

— Liz Rosenberg, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2026
There, shortly after fully participating in a practice as if nothing ever happened, the rookie linebacker recapped the scenes from perhaps the scariest moment of his football career three days prior.

— Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of scary

Adjective

The battle is between that horrible atmosphere and some of the horrific candidates that have been nominated by the Democratic Party.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
The plot is carried out to horrific proportions, but the subjects are so utterly moronic that the gag stops being amusing.

— Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of horrific

Verb

Together the duo enjoy scaring themselves into a teeth-chattering but delightful evening.

— Liz Rosenberg, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2026
Universal announced that Nikki, the character Navarrette plays in Obsession was going to roam all of Horror Nights, scaring people and taking photos like Art the Clown, Dracula, and the Weeknd in years past.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of scaring

Adjective

In most versions of the Greek mythology, Medusa is a beautiful woman that was cursed by the goddess Athena with a head of snakes instead of hair and the horrible ability to turn people to stone with just one look.

— Lynsey Eidell, Glamour, 26 Oct. 2026
The battle is between that horrible atmosphere and some of the horrific candidates that have been nominated by the Democratic Party.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of horrible

Adjective

The mother of a toddler who was found breathing in a hospital morgue hours after being pronounced dead is speaking out about the shocking incident.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
Sunday’s shocking loss to the Arizona Cardinals dropped Los Angeles to 2-4, and, suddenly, a team that entered the season with Super Bowl aspirations is fighting to stay in the playoff picture.

— Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of shocking

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horrify

horrifying

horror

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Style

“Horrifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horrifying. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of horrifying

adjective

verb

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