horrendous

adjective

hor·​ren·​dous hȯ-ˈren-dəs How to pronounce horrendous (audio)
hä-,
hə-
: extremely bad or unpleasant : horrible, dreadful
His audition was horrendous.
horrendous crimes
horrendously adverb

Examples of horrendous in a Sentence

Her taste in clothes is horrendous. a horrendous explosion shook the building
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The horrendous June 1 terror attack on a Boulder rally for Israeli hostages is only the latest in a rising tide of anti-Jewish violence that all Americans should abhor. MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025 Attack brings ‘horrendous memories’ of Jewish history A dozen people between the ages of 25 and 88 were injured in the attack in Boulder, many of whom were older adults. Priscilla Alvarez, CNN Money, 3 June 2025 The cost is horrendous and has been largely ignored. John A. Ragosta, Baltimore Sun, 4 May 2025 The following list is by no means exhaustive of this administration's horrendous policies and ridiculous conduct. Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for horrendous

Word History

Etymology

Latin horrendus "inspiring terror or awe, dreadful" (gerundive of horrēre "to be stiffly erect, bristle, shudder, shiver") + -ous — more at horror entry 1

First Known Use

1659, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of horrendous was in 1659

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Horrendous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/horrendous. Accessed 21 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

horrendous

adjective
hor·​ren·​dous hȯ-ˈren-dəs How to pronounce horrendous (audio)
hä-,
hə-
horrendously adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on horrendous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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