horrifying
Causing intense dread
Horrifying describes something that causes horror—a mix of fear, shock, and revulsion.
A horrifying accident leaves witnesses shaken.
Horrifying news stops you cold.
The word implies intensity beyond merely scary or disturbing: The documentary revealed horrifying conditions in the prison.
Something horrifying overwhelms normal composure.
Evoking extreme fear
- gruesomeCausing horror and disgust
- nightmarishFrightening like bad dreams
- blood-curdlingExtremely frightening, viscerally
- spine-chillingIntensely frightening or eerie
ghastly · macabre · grotesque · gory · disturbing · revolting · sickening · stomach-churning
Appallingly, shockingly wicked
- unconscionableMorally unacceptable, beyond reason
- depravedMorally corrupt, perverse
- heinousOdiously, shockingly evil
- monstrousFrighteningly huge or wicked
inhumane · barbaric · cruel · sadistic · vile · despicable · abominable · wicked
First light emerging
- sinkingFalling through water
- creepingMoving slowly, stealthily
- gut-wrenchingCausing intense emotional anguish
- soberingPrompting serious reflection
chilling · crushing · paralyzing · stunning · jarring · eye-opening · alarming · startling
Causing complete destruction
- devastatingCausing severe damage
- apocalypticPertaining to ultimate devastation
- cataclysmicViolently destructive in scale
- calamitousCausing great damage
ruinous · disastrous · overwhelming · unimaginable · unfathomable · staggering · massive · widespread
terrifying
Evoking extreme fear
- gruesomeCausing horror and disgust
- nightmarishFrightening like bad dreams
- blood-curdlingExtremely frightening, viscerally
spine-chilling · ghastly · macabre · grotesque · gory · disturbing · revolting · sickening · stomach-churning · hair-raising
atrocious
Appallingly, shockingly wicked
- unconscionableMorally unacceptable, beyond reason
- depravedMorally corrupt, perverse
- heinousOdiously, shockingly evil
monstrous · inhumane · barbaric · cruel · sadistic · vile · despicable · abominable · wicked · evil
dawning
First light emerging
- sinkingFalling through water
- creepingMoving slowly, stealthily
- gut-wrenchingCausing intense emotional anguish
sobering · chilling · crushing · paralyzing · stunning · jarring · eye-opening · alarming · startling · unnerving
catastrophic
Causing complete destruction
- devastatingCausing severe damage
- apocalypticPertaining to ultimate devastation
- cataclysmicViolently destructive in scale
calamitous · ruinous · disastrous · overwhelming · unimaginable · unfathomable · staggering · massive · widespread · unprecedented
horrifyingdelightful
Highly pleasing, wonderful
wonderful · heartwarming · joyful · enchanting · uplifting
horrifyingreassuring
Restoring calm or confidence
comforting · soothing · calming · unalarming · unthreatening