HORRIFY Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'horrify' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of horrify are appall , daunt , and dismay . While all these words mean "to unnerve or deter by arousing fear, apprehension, or aversion," horrify stresses a reaction of horror or revulsion. // was horrified by such wanton cruelty

Q: When is 'appall' a more appropriate choice than 'horrify'?

While in some cases nearly identical to horrify , appall implies that one is faced with that which perturbs, confounds, or shocks. // I am appalled by your behavior

Q: In what contexts can 'daunt' take the place of 'horrify'?

In some situations, the words daunt and horrify are roughly equivalent. However, daunt suggests a cowing, disheartening, or frightening in a venture requiring courage. // a cliff that would daunt the most intrepid climber

Q: Where would 'dismay' be a reasonable alternative to 'horrify'?

The words dismay and horrify are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dismay implies that one is disconcerted and at a loss as to how to deal with something. // dismayed at the size of the job

horrify

verb

ˈhȯr-ə-ˌfī

Definition of horrify next

as in to frighten

to strike with fear the old black-and-white psychological thriller still horrifies audiences

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb horrify contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of horrify are appall, daunt, and dismay. While all these words mean "to unnerve or deter by arousing fear, apprehension, or aversion," horrify stresses a reaction of horror or revulsion.

was horrified by such wanton cruelty

When is appall a more appropriate choice than horrify?

While in some cases nearly identical to horrify, appall implies that one is faced with that which perturbs, confounds, or shocks.

I am appalled by your behavior

In what contexts can daunt take the place of horrify?

In some situations, the words daunt and horrify are roughly equivalent. However, daunt suggests a cowing, disheartening, or frightening in a venture requiring courage.

a cliff that would daunt the most intrepid climber

Where would dismay be a reasonable alternative to horrify?

The words dismay and horrify are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dismay implies that one is disconcerted and at a loss as to how to deal with something.

dismayed at the size of the job

Examples 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 horrify We’d be horrified and trembling with trauma endorphins. —

Ed Herro, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Dec. 2024 Despite Orlok’s prosthetic decrepitude and the plague-like toxicity of his love, what truly horrifies Ellen about him is that some unknown part of her nature craves his touch. —

David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 2 Dec. 2024 Between the open-air smelting, wire burning, and other miscellaneous wrecking, I’m horrified by the thought of how thoroughly poisoned Katangua must be. —

Vince Beiser, WIRED, 30 Nov. 2024 Elphaba’s sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode) is horrified, but not as much as their father (Andy Nyman), who seems to drop dead in shock. —

Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for horrify

Recent Examples of Synonyms for horrify

Verb

But these videos have gotten increasingly ominous and predatory, even frightening me at times.

Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAY, 25 Nov. 2024
Walking into that pitch-black space, not seeing anything while having my eyes wide open exhilarated and frightened me.

Jeryl Brunner, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024