HORRIBLE Synonyms: 273 Similar and Opposite Words

horrible 1 of 2

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

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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

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

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

Two Fort Worth school district students were placed on the wrong bus home this week, creating what one parent described as a terrifying situation.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2026
The immersive doc captures the duality of an extreme lifestyle with the euphoric highs of intercepting a tornado to the terrifying lows of being overtaken by one inside their vehicle as Timmer pushes his mind and body to the limit.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of terrifying

Adjective

But that team’s awful 2026 season meant any shock switch was a non-starter.

— Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Kavulich believes that at some point, the situation is going to turn so awful that either Cuban leaders will be forced to change, or the United States will intervene.

— Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 19 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 Freedom 250 Grand Prix circuit has proved to be a treacherous one, and that was highlighted in a frightening crash involving a pair of drivers early in the race.

— Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026
And because cognition is so closely tied to a person’s sense of competence and identity, those changes can be surprisingly frightening.

— Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 19 Aug. 2026