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Definition of horrifying

horrifying

/ˈhɔːr.ə.faɪ.ɪŋ/
hor · ri · fy · ing
Adverb:horrifyingly
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horrifying Lexical Profile

horrifying Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Causing intense shock, fear, dismay, or revulsion.

Example

"The documentary presented a horrifying account of the environmental disaster."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

horrifically
horrified
horrify
horrifying
horrifyingly
horror
horse

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed as a participial adjective from the verb horrify, which derives from the Latin horrificare ('to cause terror'), rooted in horrere ('to bristle, tremble, or shudder').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Horrifying. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/horrifying
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