horrific

[haw-rif-ik, ho-]

adjective

1. causing horror.

horrific

/ hə-, hɒˈrɪfɪk /

adjective

1. provoking horror; horrible

Other Word Forms

• horrifically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of horrific¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from Latin horrificus, equivalent to horri-, combining form of horrēre “to bristle with fear” + -ficus -fic

Example Sentences

"Two years on from the horrific massacre on October 7, we must also be honest: the same hatred that fuelled those barbaric attacks still festers today," she said.

From BBC

What is different about the next few days is Manchester is also a city in mourning after the horrific attack on Thursday.

From BBC

“In California, we’ve seen horrific injuries to workers and tens of thousands of residents have had to seek medical attention in refinery accidents. This time, we got lucky.”

From Los Angeles Times

Fifteen minutes later, "the individual returned in a vehicle and began his horrific attack," Mr Taylor added.

From BBC

Nowadays, the headlines are full of plenty of horrific stories that fuel our inspiration.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abominable 
• appalling 
• awful 
• cruel 
• disgusting 
• dreadful 
• eerie 
• frightful 
• ghastly 
• grim 
• grisly 
• gruesome 
• hair-raising 
• heinous 
• hideous 
• horrid