as in to frighten
to strike with fear
the old black-and-white psychological thriller still horrifies audiences
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Recent Examples of horrify
Abby’s friends are nervous, even disgusted at this point, horrified at her capacity for violence.
—
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Had my own middle graders come in from the other room, they would have been alternately horrified, scandalized, and bored.
—Graham Hillard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
Economic growth contracted by 0.3%, according to the topline figure, which horrified investors.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 May 2025
The effortless, terrifying strength of our great ape cousins seems to horrify and fascinate us, but gorillas are better known in the natural world as gentle giants.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for horrify
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Had my own middle graders come in from the other room, they would have been alternately horrified, scandalized, and bored.
—Graham Hillard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
Economic growth contracted by 0.3%, according to the topline figure, which horrified investors.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 May 2025
The effortless, terrifying strength of our great ape cousins seems to horrify and fascinate us, but gorillas are better known in the natural world as gentle giants.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for horrify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for horrify
Verb
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On May 18, Palmer and the cast attended the Shadyside High Senior Prom ’88 experience as guests explored versions of the gymnasium, lockers, girls’ bathroom and more locations designed to frighten fans.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
23 May 2025
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What to know The Astra channel said that Tokarev, head of the military medical commission of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Sevastopol, got frightened during an air raid alarm overnight on May 1 sparked by a Ukrainian drone barrage.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
Verb
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When neighbors are afraid to call the police, when workers fear going to their jobs, and when children are terrified their parents won’t come home — that’s not safety.—
Andrew Nietor,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 June 2025
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He was terrified of a race under the current lines.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 June 2025
Verb
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Commissioners debate impact fees Several commissioners expressed concerns that a sharp hike in impact fees could scare away businesses from building in Manatee County, from day care centers to manufacturing.—
Ryan Ballogg,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2025
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Apparently, the card's $5 million price tag is not scaring off the jet-setters looking to make the U.S. home.—
Tovia Smith,
NPR,
2 June 2025
Verb
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The device startles seals hanging around salmon run obstacles and drives them away from the buffet.—
Cheryl Katz,
Smithsonian Magazine,
19 May 2025
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The trailer opens with Kate (Moore) startled by the sudden appearance of her troubled daughter Claire (Sweeney) on her doorstep covered in rain and blood.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
7 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Horrify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horrify. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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