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horrible
[ hawr-uh-buhl, hor- ]
adjective
- causing or tending to cause horror; shockingly dreadful:
a horrible sight.
Synonyms: repellent, horrendous, horrid, repulsive, revolting, shocking, ghastly, grim, hideous, frightful, appalling, awful, terrible
Antonyms: attractive
- extremely unpleasant; deplorable; disgusting:
horrible living conditions.
horrible
/ ˈhɒrəbəl /
adjective
- causing horror; dreadful
- disagreeable; unpleasant
- informal.cruel or unkind
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Derived Forms
- ˈhorribleness, noun
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Other Words From
- horri·ble·ness noun
- horri·bly adverb
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Word History and Origins
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Word History and Origins
Origin of horrible1
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Example Sentences
It’s horrible to say, I know, but it felt so nice that the heat was off us for a while.
I think it also means I’m less likely to get hit on, which is a horrible thing that has happened to a lot of young women in fields where there aren’t enough women.
When planes were coming long-distance from London, Sydney, Narita or Hong Kong, it was horrible.
I walk into the store, and this woman just lights me up, and starts putting my face into an iPhone and saying I’m a horrible person, and dah, dah, dah.
New York City Mayor de Blasio announced on Sunday that Ocran lost her life, and he said that she was a “psych educator” at Jacobi and that it was a horrible loss for the family, for the hospital, and for the city.
“I had this horrible secret and it colored everything I did,” said Roome.
He is a true advocate for human rights who has paid a horrible price for standing up against the Assad dictatorship.
Indeed, the Japanese-owned corporation has set a horrible precedent.
Then, Gordon replied with, “Horrible behavior,” which was echoed by Pascal, who responded, “Actually despicable.”
Any difficulties we experience now are not as horrible as the constant fear of bombs.
He gasped a few times, then, gathering strength again, went on with that horrible spasmodic recitation.
My father, who was a professional cricketer, was smashed up by an accident, and I had three horrible years in employment in shops.
They have fought countless bloody wars and have committed countless horrible atrocities in their zeal for Him.
And yet, at the same moment you were protesting, and denouncing, and saying those horrible things about her!
You may read the horrible story for yourselves in the third chapter of the Second Book of Kings.
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Related Words
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More About Horrible
What does horrible mean?
Horrible is popularly used to mean extremely bad—awful, dreadful, or horrendous.
When it’s used to describe a person, it often means extremely disagreeable or cruel.
Much less commonly, it can mean literally causing horror—horrifying or horrific.
Example: Everyone seems to like that restaurant, but I had a horrible experience there—bad food and even worse service.
Where does horrible come from?
The first records of the word horrible come from around 1300. It comes from the Latin horribilis, which ultimately derives from the Latin verb horrēre, meaning “to tremble” or “to bristle with fear” (a reference to one’s hair standing on end due to extreme fear). Horrēre is also the basis of the word horror and the related words horrific, horrifying, and horrid.
Horrible is most popularly used to simply mean “really bad,” in much the same way that terrible and awful are often used, as in I had a horrible time at that party—no one would talk to me! Sometimes, though, horrible means truly horrific or horrifying, as in In my 30 years on the job, I’ve never seen a crime scene more horrible than this. Real-life horror-like violence can be described as horrible, but you wouldn’t call a horror movie horrible to mean it was really scary—you’d probably call it horrifying or terrifying. If it was really stupid and poorly made, though, then you could call it horrible. (Unless it was so bad that it was good, in which case you might call it terrific!)
Did you know ... ?
What are some other forms related to horrible?
- horribly (adverb)
- horribleness (noun)
What are some synonyms for horrible?
What are some words that share a root or word element with horrible?
What are some words that often get used in discussing horrible?
How is horrible used in real life?
The word horrible is always negative, but it’s commonly used in both serious and not-so-serious contexts.
"It's the cold fish dying in your stomach feeling. You try to forget about it, but as soon as you do, the fish starts flopping around under your heart and reminds you that something truly horrible is happening."
― Ruth Ozeki, A Tale for the Time Being (2013) pic.twitter.com/WWbkvio1Cj
— Is it quotable? (@isitquotable) July 24, 2020
Nothing annoys me more than when a book I love becomes a movie and it’s horrible 😒
— samantha kate (@sammyvanriper) June 27, 2020
This horrible weather is making me want to stay in my pjs & hide away all day 🌚🌚
— laur (@LaurynBeck) June 30, 2020
Try using horrible!
Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of horrible?
A. awful
B. terrible
C. lousy
D. delightful
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