horrific

adjective

hor·rif·ic hȯ-ˈri-fik

hä-

Synonyms of horrific next

: having the power to horrify

a horrific account of the tragedy

horrifically

hȯ-ˈri-fi-k(ə-)lē

hä-

adverb

Examples of horrific in a Sentence

horrific images of the devastation spurred many people to give generously

Recent Examples on the Web The Stonewall riot in 1969 in the Village was such a horrific thing, but also an important moment for gay rights. —

Stephen Humphries, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Sep. 2024 Days after the horrific car accident that mangled Doshia’s bone and tore through her muscle — and days after the numerous surgeries required to hammer and nail her skeleton back in place — the crippling pain persisted. —

Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 22 Sep. 2024 Even in the face of a horrific shark attack, Rescue HI-Surf resists sensationalism. —

Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Sep. 2024 Sector 36 Vikrant Massey’s new film Sector 36 is based on the horrific rapes, killings, and cannibalism which was unearthed near India’s Noida in 2006. —

Sweta Kaushal, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for horrific

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'horrific.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French & Latin; French horrifique, going back to Middle French, borrowed from Latin horrificus "inspiring awe or dread, frightening," from horrēre "to be stiffly erect, bristle, shudder, shiver" + -i- -i- + -ficus -fic — more at horror entry 1

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of horrific was in 1653

See more words from the same year