horror story

noun

: an account of an unsettling or unfortunate occurrence

heard horror stories about recent layoffs

also : something unsettling or unfortunate

his childhood was a horror story

Examples of horror story in a Sentence

We've all heard horror stories about airlines losing people's luggage.

Her childhood was a horror story.

Recent Examples on the Web

The hours are long enough on any single camera show and there’s enough horror stories from different sets, but this was so fun. —Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2025

While there will be horror stories about any industry, some countries are setting the standard with top-notch facilities and experienced doctors with stellar bedside manners, while offering affordable rates. —Keydra Manns, Essence, 20 Mar. 2025

And yet—despite all the horror stories—law school applications are booming. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025

There are many horror stories being posted on social media and shared on online forums of individuals who have not just waited weeks or months but years for a simple correction to a past return that was filed, and that really speaks to the limited workforce the administration already has. —William Lambers, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for horror story

• allegory
• amatory
• auditory
• category
• clerestory
• crematory
• desultory
• dilatory
• dormitory
• excretory
• extempore
• feudatory