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Horrifying: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ˜ฑ
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horrifying

 

[หˆhษ’rษ™faษชษชล‹ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

feeling

Causing fear, shock, or disgust; extremely unpleasant or bad.

Synonyms

appalling, dreadful, horrific, shocking, terrifying.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
horrifying

Used when something causes strong fear or disgust.

  • The movie was absolutely horrifying
  • The sight of the accident was horrifying
terrifying

Used for something causing extreme fear, often in a direct or immediate way.

  • The roller-coaster ride was absolutely terrifying
  • The haunted house was terrifying
dreadful

Used for something extremely bad or unpleasant, often evoking a strong negative reaction.

  • The weather was dreadful all weekend
  • She made a dreadful mistake
appalling

Used to describe something very bad or unpleasant, often causing shock or outrage.

  • The conditions in the refugee camp were appalling
  • His behavior was appalling
shocking

Used when something causes surprise and distress, often because it is unexpected or scandalous.

  • Her resignation was shocking news
  • It was shocking to hear such an accusation
horrific

Used to describe something extremely shocking or frightening, often associated with violence.

  • The bombings were a horrific act of terrorism
  • It was a horrific car crash

Examples of usage

  • It was a horrifying experience to see the accident.
  • The movie was so horrifying that I couldn't sleep at night.
  • The sound of footsteps in the dark was horrifying.
  • The horrifying truth about the situation slowly unfolded.
  • The thought of being alone in that place was horrifying.
Context #2 | Adjective

appearance

Extremely ugly or unpleasant in a way that causes fear or shock.

Synonyms

ghastly, gruesome, hideous, macabre, repulsive.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
horrifying

Used to describe something that causes horror or extreme fear. It can be used in various contexts, including news reports, stories, or descriptions of events.

  • The news about the earthquake was horrifying.
  • She watched a horrifying movie last night.
hideous

Used to describe something that is extremely ugly or unpleasant to look at. It has a broader application and can refer to both physical appearance and situations.

  • The monster in the movie was hideous.
  • His actions were hideous and unforgivable.
gruesome

Often used when describing something that is horrifying and revolting, especially in terms of violence or gore. It emphasizes the grotesque nature of the subject.

  • The detectives encountered a gruesome murder scene.
  • The detailed account of the accident was gruesome.
repulsive

Describes something that causes strong feelings of disgust and aversion. It focuses more on the reaction of disgust rather than fear.

  • The smell from the garbage was repulsive.
  • His conduct was repulsive to everyone present.
ghastly

Typically used to describe something shockingly frightful or dreadful, often with a focus on its appearance. It can also be used to describe extremely bad or unpleasant situations.

  • The crime scene was absolutely ghastly.
  • He made a ghastly mistake at work.
macabre

Used to describe something that is grim and horrifying, often related to death or the darker aspects of life. It has a somewhat literary or artistic connotation.

  • The story had a macabre theme.
  • The artist's work is known for its macabre subjects.

Examples of usage

  • The horrifying sight of the abandoned house sent shivers down my spine.
  • Her horrifying appearance made everyone uncomfortable.
  • The horrifying images in the documentary left a lasting impact.
  • The horrifying details of the crime scene were hard to forget.
  • The horrifying truth behind the mask was revealed.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Fear is a basic human emotion and can trigger a 'fight or flight' response, making us react strongly to horrifying situations.
  • People often enjoy horror stories or movies because they can experience fear in a safe way and feel excitement afterward.
  • Horrifying events can lead to trauma, which could change how someone feels or reacts to similar experiences in the future.

Literature

  • Classic horror literature, like Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein', explores themes of the unknown and nature of humanity, provoking deep thought amid fear.
  • The genre often uses vivid imagery and suspense to create an atmosphere that keeps readers on edge, drawing them into terrifying worlds.
  • Horror stories frequently reflect societal fears and anxieties, acting as a mirror to what people are troubled or fascinated by.

Pop Culture

  • Horror films, especially popular franchises like 'Halloween' and 'The Exorcist', have significantly influenced modern cinema and culture.
  • Halloween events often incorporate horrifying themes with haunted houses, scary costumes, and ghost stories, making it a tradition to confront fear.
  • Video games like 'Resident Evil' and 'Silent Hill' immerse players in horrifying environments, utilizing interactive experiences to enhance fear.

History

  • Throughout history, various groups have used horrifying tales to explain natural disasters or events they could not understand, like folklore legends.
  • During the Medieval period, horrifying punishments were often public spectacles meant to instill fear and maintain order in society.
  • The term 'horrific' became popular during the Romantic era, as artists sought to evoke deep emotional and sensory responses through their work.

Science

  • Scientists study fear responses to understand how they impact human behavior, revealing how the brain processes horrifying stimuli.
  • Research shows that exposure to horror can release endorphins, leading some people to seek out chilling experiences as a thrill-seeking behavior.
  • The physiological response to horrifying stimuli often includes increased heart rate and adrenaline, which are part of the body's natural defense mechanism.

Translations

Translations of the word "horrifying" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น horrรญvel

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคญเคฏเคพเคจเค•

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช schrecklich

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ mengerikan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะถะฐั…ะปะธะฒะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ przeraลผajฤ…cy

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆใ‚ใ—ใ„

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท horrible

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ horrible

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท korkunรง

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ฌด์„œ์šด

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ุฑุนุจ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ dฤ›sivรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ desivรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅฏๆ€•็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ grozljiv

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ hrรฆรฐilegt

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›ะพั€า›ั‹ะฝั‹ัˆั‚ั‹

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒกแƒแƒจแƒ˜แƒœแƒ”แƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ dษ™hลŸษ™tli

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ horrible

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,048, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.