HORRIBLE Synonyms: 273 Similar and Opposite Words

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adjective

ˈhȯr-ə-bəl

Definition of horrible

as in horrific

extremely disturbing or repellent a horrible car accident that left eyewitnesses in a state of shock

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in terrifying

causing fear a horrible scream that made shivers go up and down our spines

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in awful

causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment I can never forgive her for the horrible way she treated me

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in terrible

extremely unsatisfactory I'm never going back to that restaurant; the service was horrible

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

horrible

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of horrible

Adjective

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ terrible, horrible, no good, very bad reelection campaign just got worse after Wednesday night’s debate in Sherman Oaks. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026 After that horrible 2011 stab at the scifi superhero with Ryan Reynolds in it, Hal Jordan (played by Kyle Chandler) returns in a more somber but certainly enjoyable eight-episode series on HBO. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026 But the price of doing so is constantly rising, as technology increases the range and magnitude of horrible possibilities. — Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 Whatever cloud of innocence has hung over Jo’s life until this point is shattered, both parents struggling how to navigate the horrible experience from an emotional as well as a purely bureaucratic perspective. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for horrible

Recent Examples of Synonyms for horrible

Adjective

And because Kennerly has captured moments both triumphant and horrific, a warning, some of these pictures are graphic.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
The offseason has been horrific at UNC — will the football improve?

— Bob Ferrante, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of horrific

Adjective

Cyber stocks late last year and into 2026 were being lumped into the awful enterprise software trade.

— Paulina Likos, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
In 2024, Burke’s squad dragged itself off the mat after an awful (yet at the time, typical) start to the season to go unbeaten in 12 of 13 matches down the stretch and narrowly miss the playoffs.

— Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of awful

Adjective

But even without it, there seems to be some truth to the idea that if these teams were terrible businesses, they wouldn’t be sold for billions of dollars.

— Evan Drellich, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Not by tightening the siege on Iran directly, but by tightening the siege on those who help this regime, this terrible dictatorship.

— Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of terrible

Adjective

In 1987, the United Klans of America was ordered to pay $7 million for the gruesome 1981 murder of Michael Donald, a Black teenager whose body was found hanging from a tree in Mobile, Alabama.

— Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
Her credits include Obi-Wan, Rebel Moon and The Orville, as well as the gruesome culinary creations of Grotesquerie and drinkable blood for American Horror Story.

— Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of gruesome

Adjective

The thoughts that accompany these conditions can be alarming and frightening, making many women reluctant to talk about them or seek help.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Aug. 2026
There are frightening stories of swordfish charging boats, and even spearing their transoms and whacking propellers.

— Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of frightening

Adjective

There is real hope of a postseason push, with the disgusting state of the American League leaving the door open for any team that dares to play well.

— Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
This whole situation is discriminatory, disgusting, and quite frankly, Orwellian.

— Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026