horrify
verb
transitive verb
Synonyms
- affright
- alarm
- alarum
- fright
- frighten
- panic
- scare
- scarify
- shock
- spook
- startle
- terrify
- terrorize
Example Sentences
Jason Linkins, The New Republic, 6 Aug. 2022 The videos and photos have gone viral, the latest images and stories from the brutal war in Ukraine to horrify the world. Hanna Arhirova, ajc, 15 July 2022 The devastation is going to horrify Europe and North America. Peter Bergen, CNN, 6 Mar. 2022 Her progressive ideas horrify the White status quo, but they’re welcomed by Motormouth Maybelle, who hosts the one show each month that a Black host and teen dancers are allowed on the air. San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Nov. 2021 That will horrify some climate warriors in the U.S. Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 6 Nov. 2021 Its science-fiction stories are still sharp and clever with twists that surprise, delight and horrify. Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 5 Aug. 2021 Its science-fiction stories are still sharp and clever with twists that surprise, delight and horrify. Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 5 Aug. 2021 Its science-fiction stories are still sharp and clever with twists that surprise, delight and horrify. Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 5 Aug. 2021 See More Word History
probably from horri(fic) + -fy
Note: Given the late appearance of the word, it is most likely not a borrowing from Latin horrificāre "to ruffle the surface of, frighten, terrify."
1791, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
horrify
verb
horrify
verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- frighten
- terrify
- scare
- startle
- shock
- spook
- terrorize
- panic
- fright
- appall
- alarm
- scarify
- shake
- affright
- amaze
- appal
- astound
- dismay
- distract
- awe
- alarum
- make one's flesh crawl
- unnerve
- make one's flesh creep
- give one the creeps
- jolt
- unsettle
- daunt
- shake up
- worry
- disturb
- dispirit
- disconcert
- emasculate
- discomfort
- upset
- disquiet
- demoralize
- bowl over
- perturb
- distress
- floor
- unman
- undo
- discompose
- chill
- unstring
- psych (out)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- reassure
- assure
- soothe
- comfort
- cheer
- inspire
- encourage
- console
- steel
- embolden
- solace
- hearten
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of horrify are appall, daunt, and dismay. While all these words mean "to unnerve or deter by arousing fear, apprehension, or aversion," horrify stresses a reaction of horror or revulsion.
While in some cases nearly identical to horrify, appall implies that one is faced with that which perturbs, confounds, or shocks.
In some situations, the words daunt and horrify are roughly equivalent. However, daunt suggests a cowing, disheartening, or frightening in a venture requiring courage.
The words dismay and horrify are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dismay implies that one is disconcerted and at a loss as to how to deal with something.