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

"Our prayers are with the victims, their families, and everyone impacted by this horrific act of violence."

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Calling the event “horrific,” Daily Wire pundit Matt Walsh said, “The leader of the Catholic Church shouldn’t be anywhere near this nonsense.”

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Also appearing on the Sunday Show, Alexander said Swinney was using independence to divert attention away from the SNP's "horrific" record on public services.

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We learn that a horrific accident happened many years earlier, when the friend’s son fell from a ledge.

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A few short years later, however, as president in the midst of a horrific civil war, Lincoln dramatically changed course.

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Related Words

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