1
as in dreadfulness
the quality of inspiring intense dread or dismay
it's difficult to even begin to comprehend the horror of the Holocaust
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2
as in nightmare
a situation or state that causes great suffering and unhappiness
had never experienced the horrors of war
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3
4
as in fear
the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger
imagine my horror at finding myself face to face with a lion on the loose
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5
as in disgust
a dislike so strong as to cause stomach upset or queasiness
cat lover or no, she regards cleaning the litter box with horror
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of horror
My biggest problem with most horror movies is that there is always a solution at the end.
—
Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2025
Another 20th title, the Sam Raimi horror movie Send Help starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien, will open on January 30, 2026.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2025
Fans of legendary filmmaker George Romero are pushing to preserve a piece of horror film history – a suburban mall with an uncertain future.
—Chrissy Suttles, Axios, 14 Feb. 2025
In a scene rivaling a horror film, video shot by a terrified kayaker shows him being stalked by a great white shark.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for horror
Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2025
Another 20th title, the Sam Raimi horror movie Send Help starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien, will open on January 30, 2026.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2025
Fans of legendary filmmaker George Romero are pushing to preserve a piece of horror film history – a suburban mall with an uncertain future.
—Chrissy Suttles, Axios, 14 Feb. 2025
In a scene rivaling a horror film, video shot by a terrified kayaker shows him being stalked by a great white shark.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for horror
Recent Examples of Synonyms for horror
Noun
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Marshmallow centers on Morgan (played by Kue Lawrence), an introverted 12-year-old suffering from nightmares who heads to a secluded summer camp.—
Ryan Gajewski,
The Hollywood Reporter,
19 Feb. 2025
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Different batteries and chargers and hookups and other details make for a logistical nightmare, Defense News reported in 2022.—
Colin Demarest,
Axios,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The fund did lower its payout after the 2022 mess, leaving itself room to buy bargains.—
Brett Owens,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
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Mark Critchley has a full explainer on the financial mess.—
Chris Branch,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Had fear of exposure or rejection kept you from fully stepping into leadership or creative risk?—
Colin Bedell,
Them,
28 Feb. 2025
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The number of cancellations comes from a person who asked for anonymity because of the fear of repercussions at the Post.—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Under a post from Entertainment Tonight, which shared his video, folks flooded the comments section to voice their disapproval/disgust/concern.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2025
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Drake is performing in Australia as part of his Anita Max Wynn Tour, and during the Monday (Feb. 17) Sydney show, a fan launched a DeMar DeRozan basketball jersey on stage, which Drake threw down in disgust.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Intentionally or not, these gestures and statements normalize racial hatred, which is the prologue to the kind of racial violence that led to some of humanity’s worst atrocities.—
Andres Oppenheimer,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 2025
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These are war crimes, and no amount of justification in the name of previous atrocities can change that reality.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Challenges of rebuilding Victims who lost homes will be faced with the decision whether to rebuild — which can be agony.—
Tony Saavedra,
Orange County Register,
24 Feb. 2025
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Then, Cara’s killshot was followed by her screams of agony at her dire circumstances.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Objects are often askew and out of frame, and everyday sounds like a toilet flush or blinds being pulled assume a low, staticky growl, as though frights fueled by childish imagination.—
Gayle Sequeira,
Vulture,
20 Jan. 2025
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In a second Instagram Stories post, the singer offered another look at the cake, featuring a large bust of a clicker, the fungal zombie-esque frights from the Last of Us video game franchise and HBO series of the same name.—
Gil Macias,
People.com,
13 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Merz vowed to bring stronger leadership in Europe at a moment when Trump had sowed anxiety on the continent by scrambling traditional alliances and embracing Russia.—
Emmett Lindner,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2025
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While some financial hiccups are normal in early adulthood, ongoing instability could signal deeper struggles with budgeting, impulsivity or even financial anxiety.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Horror.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horror. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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