horrendous

[haw-ren-duhs, ho-]

adjective

1. shockingly dreadful; horrible.

   a horrendous crime.

   Synonyms: hideous, frightful, appalling

horrendous

/ hɒˈrɛndəs /

adjective

1. another word for horrific

Other Word Forms

• horrendously adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of horrendous¹

1650–60; < Latin horrendus dreadful, to be feared (gerund of horrēre to bristle, shudder), equivalent to horr- (akin to hirsute ) + -endus gerund suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of horrendous¹

C17: from Latin horrendus fearful, from horrēre to bristle, shudder, tremble; see _horror

Example Sentences

Many were in court earlier this month as, one after the other, a series of victim impact statements laid bare the effects of the horrendous crime and the unprecedented attention it attracted.

From BBC

Teenagers have described horrendous withdrawal symptoms after vaping it, while one parent said she feared finding her daughter dead in her bed.

From BBC

Three and a half hours away from home was absolutely horrendous but those things have all helped me off the pitch and then it helps you on the pitch as well.

From BBC

From a guy who gets haircuts week in, week out and prides myself on good haircuts, it’s horrendous.”

From Los Angeles Times

In sharp contrast, the counter-resolution from party leaders doesn’t even lightly criticize Israel for its methodical large-scale killing of Palestinian people, which is now in its 23rd horrendous month.

From Salon

Related Words

• abhorrent 
• appalling 
• atrocious 
• awful 
• dire 
• disastrous 
• dreadful 
• extreme 
• frightful 
• ghastly 
• gruesome 
• harrowing 
• hideous 
• horrible 
• horrid 

When To Use

What does horrendous mean?

Horrendous is popularly used to mean extremely bad—awful, dreadful, or horrible.It can also mean literally causing horror—horrifying or horrific, as in horrendous violence.Example: If you’re wondering what cake tastes like when you accidentally use salt instead of sugar, it’s horrendous—completely disgusting and inedible.