horrible

adjective

hor·​ri·​ble ˈhȯr-ə-bəl How to pronounce horrible (audio)
ˈhär-
Synonyms of horrible
1
: marked by or arousing painful and intense fear, dread, dismay, or aversion : marked by or arousing horror
a horrible accident
2
: extremely bad or unpleasant
a horrible mistake
horrible food
horrible noun
horribleness noun
horribly
ˈhȯr-ə-blē How to pronounce horrible (audio)
ˈhär-
adverb

Synonyms of horrible

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Examples of horrible in a Sentence

He suffered a horrible death. The crime scene was too horrible to describe. The team had a horrible season last year. He realized that he had made a horrible mistake.
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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.
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 After years of seeing enough photos of fabulous wealth and horrible tragedy, these types of images cease to shock us. — Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026 But the horrible jobs data suggests the central bank may have to think about weakening consumer spending as well. — Sarah Min, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026 The offensive line is still horrible, the receiving corps is ok (waiting on you Marvin Harrison) and the defense is hot garbage. — Darren Cooper, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for horrible

Word History

Etymology

Middle English orible, horrible, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin horribilis, from horrēre "to be stiffly erect, bristle (of hair, weapons, plants), shudder, shiver" + -ibilis "capable of exhibiting or causing (the action of the verb)" — more at horror entry 1, -able

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of horrible was in the 14th century

Rhymes for horrible

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Browse Nearby Words

horribile dictu
horrible
horribleness
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Cite this Entry

“Horrible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/horrible. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

horrible

adjective
hor·​ri·​ble ˈhȯr-ə-bəl How to pronounce horrible (audio)
ˈhär-
1
: marked by or arousing horror
2
: extremely unpleasant or bad
horrible food
horribly
-blē How to pronounce horrible (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on horrible

Nglish: Translation of horrible for Spanish Speakers

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