1
as in terrifying
causing fear
couldn't sleep after reading a horrifying tale of evil a horrifying scream brought people running from all directions to see what was wrong
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gruesome
extremely disturbing or repellent
the horrifying sight of a rat running through the restaurant's kitchen
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in frightening
to strike with fear
the old black-and-white psychological thriller still horrifies audiences
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of horrifying
David Remnick, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Under Nathaniel Hackett’s 15-game watch of fans counting down the play clock, a player cursing out his quarterback, and teammates shoving one another on the sidelines and punching opponents, the sheer disconnect was comedic and horrifying.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
Then, Molly Odintz joins Drew to chat with Max Booth III about Ghoulish Books in San Antonio getting harassed by MAGA types for a saucy chalkboard and, more broadly, about the state of horror in these horrifying times.
—The Lit Hub Podcast, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025
According to a deep-dive investigative piece on the case published in The Cut, Kendra was hiding much more from her family than just her horrifying role as her own daughter’s catfish.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 5 Sep. 2025
Residents in Gaza City told CNN of horrifying nights as Israel bombed the city from above and ground forces pushed into the outskirts of the city.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Foster, who has always been skilled at portraying male fragility in its many forms, is horrifying here (a compliment).
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
In the film, the couple examines the haunting of a remote farmhouse, where a couple (Lili Taylor and Ron Livingston) live with their five children and are subject to horrifying occurrences — with one of them eventually becoming demonically possessed.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
The crime itself was horrifying.
—Jonathan Alpert, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Now Blitzer’s reporting paints a vivid—and horrifying—portrait of the lives that have been upended by the Administration’s most cruel policies.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Under Nathaniel Hackett’s 15-game watch of fans counting down the play clock, a player cursing out his quarterback, and teammates shoving one another on the sidelines and punching opponents, the sheer disconnect was comedic and horrifying.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
Then, Molly Odintz joins Drew to chat with Max Booth III about Ghoulish Books in San Antonio getting harassed by MAGA types for a saucy chalkboard and, more broadly, about the state of horror in these horrifying times.
—The Lit Hub Podcast, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025
According to a deep-dive investigative piece on the case published in The Cut, Kendra was hiding much more from her family than just her horrifying role as her own daughter’s catfish.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 5 Sep. 2025
Residents in Gaza City told CNN of horrifying nights as Israel bombed the city from above and ground forces pushed into the outskirts of the city.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Foster, who has always been skilled at portraying male fragility in its many forms, is horrifying here (a compliment).
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
In the film, the couple examines the haunting of a remote farmhouse, where a couple (Lili Taylor and Ron Livingston) live with their five children and are subject to horrifying occurrences — with one of them eventually becoming demonically possessed.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
The crime itself was horrifying.
—Jonathan Alpert, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for horrifying
Adjective
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The case is interrupted as Lorraine is heavily pregnant with Judy and is induced into giving birth after a terrifying vision.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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The series centers around a deep-space research vessel crash-lands on Earth, bringing with it mysterious and terrifying life forms, such as the Xenomorph.—
Carson Blackwelder,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Gonzalez-Rasalas was charged with murder, desecrating a body and auto theft in a gruesome 2023 Easter Sunday homicide.—
Julia Coin,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Sep. 2025
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At the time, and in the next nearly two years, the Kansas City region also experienced the gruesome abuse and neglect deaths of three children ages 4 to 6, including one boy who fell from a 17th floor apartment window in November 2023.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Instances of swatting have been plaguing the nation for years, with fake shooting threats frightening the public and forcing schools, hospitals, grocery stores, office buildings, and airports into temporary lockdowns.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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There were plenty of distraction at the in-stadium clinic to make a trip to the dentist a little less scary for the children.—
Tammy Ljungblad,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
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And yet … those conversations are also entertainingly provocative, and they’re accompanied by some of the scariest and most disgusting scenes the series has delivered up to now.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Right-wing politicians have long used horrific crime stories – particularly those featuring Black suspects and White victims – to make broader criticisms of Democrats as soft on crime.—
Wesley Bruer,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
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The surveillance footage of the horrific attack was released by the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) over the weekend, FOX News reported.—
Christine Pelisek,
People.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The horrible accident — later determined to be caused by pilot error — remains the deadliest plane crash in Charlotte history.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
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But then came a horrible deep-ball attempt intended for Stefon Diggs that Isaiah Pola-Mao intercepted.—
Steve Buckley,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The Chicago Bears suffered a shocking Week 1 loss, blowing a 17-6 fourth quarter lead at home against the division rival Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football.—
Noah Camras,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
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Iryna was killed while sitting peacefully, an innocent life taken in a shocking and brutal way.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Though Smith was charged with four counts of assault for scaring and endangering the villagers, troopers did not say he was involved in his mother’s death.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
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Unlike other security systems that passively report break-ins to customers or police, Sauron security agents are constantly monitoring to provide real-time incident responses such as watching and scaring away a would-be robber via their speaker system.—
Victoria Feng,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Horrifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horrifying. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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