horrific

Causing intense dread

Horrific describes something that causes horror—intensely shocking, disturbing, or gruesome: a horrific accident, horrific injuries, horrific acts of violence.

The word implies visceral revulsion beyond ordinary unpleasantness.

While horrible has softened through overuse, horrific retains its force, typically reserved for genuinely terrible things.

terrifying

Evoking extreme fear

petrifyingInducing paralytic terror
harrowingExtremely distressing or disturbing
traumaticCausing severe emotional damage

frightening · alarming · dreadful · fearsome · menacing · threatening · ominous · foreboding · chilling · bone-chilling

shocking

appalling

Inspiring horror or disgust

atrociousAppallingly, shockingly wicked
outrageousShockingly bad or excessive
scandalousMorally offensive or shocking

egregious · unconscionable · deplorable · abominable · inexcusable · unforgivable · heinous · monstrous · vile · reprehensible

ghastly

gruesome

Causing horror and disgust

grislyShockingly horrific
macabreDisturbing, death-obsessed
grotesqueDistorted, bizarre figure

ghoulish · morbid · gory · hideous · nightmarish · bloodcurdling · hair-raising · spine-tingling · blood-soaked · visceral

horrific

terrifying

appalling

gruesome

horrific

Opposites

Categories

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