horror story

noun

: an account of an unsettling or unfortunate occurrence
heard horror stories about recent layoffs
also : something unsettling or unfortunate
his childhood was a horror story

Examples of horror story in a Sentence

We've all heard horror stories about airlines losing people's luggage. Her childhood was a horror story.
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.
There were a few horror stories from my clients who took a mortgage, lost their jobs, and had to leave the country. Amanda Lauren, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024 The movie takes place on a merchant ship bound for London and becomes a survival horror story as the crew starts getting laid to waste by a most surprising passenger hidden within the boxes below deck. Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2024 Use caution when sharing your experience Do share wisdom; don’t share horror stories, Sidner said. Andrea Kane, CNN, 21 Oct. 2024 Throughout October, these creepy characters will populate horror stories on screens and stages, pop out at museum parties, dance at balls and haunt tours. Domenica Bongiovanni, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for horror story 

Word History

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of horror story was in 1937

Dictionary Entries Near horror story

Cite this Entry

“Horror story.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/horror%20story. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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