horrify

[hawr-uh-fahy, hor-]

verb (used with object)

horrified, horrifying 

1. to cause to feel horror; strike with horror.

   The accident horrified us all.

2. to distress greatly; shock or dismay.

   She was horrified by the price of the house.

horrify

/ ˈhɒrɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to cause feelings of horror in; terrify; frighten

2. to dismay or shock greatly

Other Word Forms

• horrification noun
• horrifyingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of horrify¹

1785–95; < Latin horrificāre to cause horror, equivalent to horri- (combining form of horrēre to bristle with fear; horrendous ) + -ficāre -fy

Example Sentences

First Minister John Swinney said he was "horrified" by the claims.

From BBC

For Ms Odour, it has been a horrifying process to witness.

From BBC

The carefully planned killing of a former prison officer simply for doing his job has "horrified" the profession and damaged morale, according to a union chief.

From BBC

Paola Mendez said she was horrified watching the final moments of her fiance’s life, and also angered by what she saw as the department’s attempts to twist facts to justify officers’ decision to fire.

From Los Angeles Times

Witnesses including Mr Garrity also described the horrifying spectacle of children emerging from the church covered in blood.

From BBC

Related Words

• alarm 
• daunt 
• disgust 
• dismay 
• frighten 
• intimidate 
• outrage 
• petrify 
• shake 
• shock 
• sicken 
• terrify