HORRIFY Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'horrify' contrast with its synonyms?

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. // was horrified by such wanton cruelty

Q: When is 'appall' a more appropriate choice than 'horrify'?

While in some cases nearly identical to horrify , appall implies that one is faced with that which perturbs, confounds, or shocks. // I am appalled by your behavior

Q: In what contexts can 'daunt' take the place of 'horrify'?

In some situations, the words daunt and horrify are roughly equivalent. However, daunt suggests a cowing, disheartening, or frightening in a venture requiring courage. // a cliff that would daunt the most intrepid climber

Q: Where would 'dismay' be a reasonable alternative to 'horrify'?

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. // dismayed at the size of the job

horrify

verb

ˈhȯr-ə-ˌfī

Definition of horrify next

as in to frighten

to strike with fear the old black-and-white psychological thriller still horrifies audiences

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb horrify contrast with its synonyms?

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.

was horrified by such wanton cruelty

When is appall a more appropriate choice than horrify?

While in some cases nearly identical to horrify, appall implies that one is faced with that which perturbs, confounds, or shocks.

I am appalled by your behavior

In what contexts can daunt take the place of horrify?

In some situations, the words daunt and horrify are roughly equivalent. However, daunt suggests a cowing, disheartening, or frightening in a venture requiring courage.

a cliff that would daunt the most intrepid climber

Where would dismay be a reasonable alternative to horrify?

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.

dismayed at the size of the job

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of horrify Laura Modi was horrified by the pressures put on new moms. —

Natasha Pearlman, Glamour, 2 Jan. 2025 While the front-line doctors taking over patients were horrified, court records show hospital administrators and the peer review committee had been warned more than a dozen times, since at least 2018, that Weiner was overprescribing. —

J. David McSwane, ProPublica, 7 Dec. 2024 From horrifying films about a snowman going on a murderous rampage to those about folkloric Christmas demons who terrorize naughty families, there are plenty of grown-ups-only holiday movies that will make for an exciting kid-free movie night. —

Lydia Price, People.com, 22 Dec. 2024 While there have been those who were horrified at the brazen shooting, many others have come to view Mangione as a hero. —

Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for horrify

Recent Examples of Synonyms for horrify

Verb

Marina, frightened, fled the spa, almost leaving behind her shirt, and spent the next hour looking over her shoulder to see whether the woman had, in fact, called someone.

— Keith Gessen, The New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2025
Some frightened residents even abandoned their cars on one of the only roads in and out of the upscale Pacific Palisades area, fleeing on foot from the engulfing blaze.

— Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025