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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of horror
In 2015, Carvell Wallace wrote about Jackson’s endlessly complicated legacy, and the beauty and horror that his life represented.
—
Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 27 Apr. 2026
Alien Day was this past Sunday (April 26), and to celebrate one of the best sci-fi horror franchises of all time, HBO Max has just added the special editions of the first four Alien movies onto the streaming service.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Unfortunately, too many people and families have already had to experience the horror of injury or death at the hands of negligent drivers, including Heastie’s own constituents in the Bronx.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
Send Help, a survival horror thriller starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien, is coming soon to streaming video on demand on Hulu.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for horror
Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 27 Apr. 2026
Alien Day was this past Sunday (April 26), and to celebrate one of the best sci-fi horror franchises of all time, HBO Max has just added the special editions of the first four Alien movies onto the streaming service.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Unfortunately, too many people and families have already had to experience the horror of injury or death at the hands of negligent drivers, including Heastie’s own constituents in the Bronx.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
Send Help, a survival horror thriller starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien, is coming soon to streaming video on demand on Hulu.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for horror
Recent Examples of Synonyms for horror
Noun
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When the show picks up, Lorcan is experiencing a strange series of nightmares centered around a terrifying rabbit-faced man, a creature pulled from Celtic mythology known as a Pooka.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
1 May 2026
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Continue reading … LIGHTS BACK ON — Trump ends DHS' months-long nightmare that left immigration enforcement without funding.—
,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Noun
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Congress is going to have to address the mess created by not enforcing past immigration laws.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
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This compounds the mess inherent to cooking with a young child, who, turns out, is apt to get as much flour on the floor as inside the bowl.—
Rachel Tepper Paley,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
7 May 2026
Noun
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And though Fanny released their albums in a post-Stonewall environment, the band’s gay members felt pressured to remain in the closet for fear of losing their record deal or the support of their fans.—
Marissa Lorusso,
Pitchfork,
3 May 2026
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Lane harrowingly captures the paralyzing fear of being ordinary, while Metcalf will overwhelm you with the sheer emotion of her performance as Willy’s fiercely loyal wife, Linda.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
3 May 2026
Noun
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Repulsion, disgust, and ambivalence can all find rootedness in horror.—
Horace D. Ballard,
Artforum,
22 Apr. 2026
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Some also voiced their disgust during the protests in September.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The men took part in the March of the Living program, which aims to educate teenagers about the atrocities of the Holocaust.—
Steven Yablonski,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
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This atrocity was a defining moment for America and your pain and shock were felt around the whole world.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The breakup with Claude is why Mathias left Lyon and radically changed his life, and their encounter brings his romantic agony rushing back.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2026
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That’s a woman reaching up in agony and fear.—
Abid Rahman,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In set-pieces involving the Pooka, dark lighting and strong use of shadow results in some scenes that can give younger viewers a genuine fright.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
1 May 2026
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The 1390 Super Duke RR is leaner and better appointed for handling than the regular Super Duke R, and is sure to give your insurer a proper fright.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The next, everyone is discussing climate anxiety among urban houseplants.—
Larry Clifton,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 May 2026
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Typically found at gas stations and smoke shops, kratom and its synthetic version, known as 7-Hydroxymitragynine or 7-OH, have been marketed as an over-the-counter aid for pain, anxiety and drug dependence.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Horror.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horror. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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