horrific

adjective

hor·​rif·​ic hȯ-ˈri-fik 

hä-

: having the power to horrify

a horrific account of the tragedy

horrifically

hȯ-ˈri-fi-k(ə-)lē 

hä-

adverb

Synonyms

• appalling
• atrocious
• awful
• dreadful
• frightful
• ghastly
• grisly
• gruesome
• grewsome
• hideous
• horrendous
• horrible
• horrid
• horrifying
• lurid
• macabre
• monstrous
• nightmare
• nightmarish
• shocking
• terrible
• terrific

Examples of horrific in a Sentence

horrific images of the devastation spurred many people to give generously

Recent Examples on the Web

Now The horrific atrocities experienced by children in Sudan will leave life-long scars - if the children are lucky enough to survive the hostilities, famine, diseases, and other risks. —Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025

But now the Trump administration’s lack of empathy threatens other children and families facing such horrific diagnoses. —Dayna Copeland, The Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2025

The following episodes focus on the the impact of the fallout from this horrific crime: for the school and Jamie’s peers, for the Miller family, and for Jamie himself. —Emily Maddick, Glamour, 14 Mar. 2025

Their unwavering commitment ensured that justice is served, and the perpetrator is held fully accountable for these horrific crimes. —Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French & Latin; French horrifique, going back to Middle French, borrowed from Latin horrificus "inspiring awe or dread, frightening," from horrēre "to be stiffly erect, bristle, shudder, shiver" + -i- -i- + -ficus -fic — more at horror entry 1

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for horrific

• pacific
• prolific
• salvific
• specific
• terrific
• calorific
• conspecific
• hieroglyphic
• honorific
• nonspecific
• scientific
• soporific