horror stories

Tales of terror

Horror stories are tales designed to frighten, featuring supernatural threats, violence, or psychological dread.

The term extends to any alarming account of real events: I've heard horror stories about that airline.

Someone sharing horror stories about a job interview or medical procedure is warning you what might go wrong.

Related

slasher films · nightmares · penny dreadfuls · late night reading · creepypasta · dark fantasy · demonic possession · campfire tales · folklore · primal fear · grotesque · blood and gore · paranormal · dread · suspense · true crime · eerie · chilling

Categories
Opposites
genre/emotional effect

horror storiesheartwarming tales

Stories evoking tender emotions

comedies · romances · romantic comedies · love stories · inspirational stories

narrative tone/atmosphere

horror storieslighthearted adventures

Joyful, low-stakes exploits

escapist fiction · utopian fiction

CONTENT VALENCE (figurative use)

horror storiessuccess stories

Accounts of achievement

testimonials · rave reviews · happy endings · good news · endorsements

Family

horror, stories, horrific, horrify, horrifying, horrified, horrors, abhorrent, abhorrence

Familiarity
Top 20,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG