horrifying
Britishadjective
-
causing feelings of horror in; awful; terrifying;
-
dismaying or greatly shocking; dreadful
Other Word Forms
Explanation
Horrifying things are scary and disturbing. A car crash, a violent scene in a movie, and an exposé on what's really in your fast food hamburger can all be described as horrifying. Something that scares you to death, like the sound of footsteps upstairs in your dark, empty house or the sight of a bear on the hiking trail, is horrifying. Equally horrifying are things that sicken you, like photographs from a battlefield or the description of a painful dental procedure. Horrifying things inspire horror, originally a Latin word meaning both "dread" and "religious awe," from horrere, "to bristle with fear."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Horrifying is the lack of integrity, resources and commitment to those in need of compassion and grace.
From Seattle Times • Sep. 4, 2022
Cardinals defensive end JJ Watt said: "Horrifying news to hear this morning. Just tragic. Rest in peace Jeff."
From BBC • May 31, 2022
“Devastated doesn’t even begin to describe it. Horrifying horrifying news out of Texas.”
From Washington Times • May 24, 2022
Horrifying events turn panic to real terror when a young woman becomes trapped in the old house she’s helping her father and uncle renovate.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 19, 2019
Horrifying because I’m well aware of the road I’m on.
From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
