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

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.

With snipers on rooftops, military vehicles on the streets and troops and cops everywhere, Trump was scheduled to meet with families of those killed and injured in the horrific New Year’s Day attack in NOLA. —

Ted Johnson, Deadline, 9 Feb. 2025 Contemplating nuclear war and the prospect of telling this horrific news to my radio audience at 9:30 in the morning of Feb. 20, 1971 still haunts me today. —

Steve Koester, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025 Even before the horrific Hamas slaughter of more than 1,200 Israelis on Oct. 7, 2023, progressive groups called the strip an outdoor prison. —

Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025 How safe would the thousands be in this city just one month after the horrific attack? —

Scott Thompson, Fox News, 7 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for horrific

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