1
as in horrible
causing fear
a horrendous explosion shook the building
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in awful
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment
a horrendous breach of good manners that should not escape censure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in horrific
extremely disturbing or repellent
emergency room personnel did not flinch even from the most horrendous injuries
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of horrendous
If your grout isn't horrendous with dirt or stains, this might be a great cleaner for brightening the lines.
—
Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2026
Coming off a baffling loss at a Jazz team trying to stack losses on Monday, the Warriors returned to Chase Center on Tuesday and lost 130-124 in overtime to a horrendous Bulls outfit with only eight active players.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
Hiller’s status had been a topic ever since his horrendous decisions last spring and remained so as the Kings never regained the magic that flowed throughout 2024-25 up until that fateful series.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
That’s a remarkably consistent effect, given that the knock on baking soda was always the risk of horrendous gastrointestinal side effects.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for horrendous
Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2026
Coming off a baffling loss at a Jazz team trying to stack losses on Monday, the Warriors returned to Chase Center on Tuesday and lost 130-124 in overtime to a horrendous Bulls outfit with only eight active players.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
Hiller’s status had been a topic ever since his horrendous decisions last spring and remained so as the Kings never regained the magic that flowed throughout 2024-25 up until that fateful series.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
That’s a remarkably consistent effect, given that the knock on baking soda was always the risk of horrendous gastrointestinal side effects.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for horrendous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for horrendous
Adjective
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This is going to be a horrible, terrible, no-good, very bad day.—
Nathan Rott,
NPR,
27 Mar. 2026
-
In another case, a 10-year-old girl contracted horrible lesions on 10 percent of her body — mostly on her legs — after contact with giant hogweed.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The timing is awful, as Rodon was scheduled to make a rehab start with the Yankees' Double-A affiliate.—
Logan Brown,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
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The Broncos were awful on the ground.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The horrific shooting has rocked the Plainville community, with its reverberations being felt throughout the state.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
30 Mar. 2026
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A lot of his struggles stemmed from the Raiders’ horrific offensive line.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The terrifying cadence of airstrikes shapes daily life in Tehran.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
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But beneath the ice, something terrifying has awakened.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Gavin Newsom loves to brag about his accomplishments as governor — a syndrome that sometimes backfires when reality raises its ugly head.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Stocks are quickly deteriorating, with each of the major averages on pace to post an ugly month of losses as hopes for a quick resolution to the Middle East conflict gives way to fear.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The gruesome images of tanks blown apart by drones in Ukraine did not dissuade anyone from purchasing these systems.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
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Because of his ability to appeal to jurors with at times folksy explanations of gruesome subjects like the dynamic of blood spatter, prosecution and defense lawyers competed for his testimony at trials.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This is a terrible blow against reform and the Dems should be ashamed.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Here are five novels that have been tied to terrible crimes.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The amount of disrespect shown the Broncos is disgusting.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
27 Mar. 2026
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Building Alligator Alcatraz and being proud of treating people inhumanely while at the same time stealing money for his charity is disgusting.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Horrendous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horrendous. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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