Synonyms of horrify

horrify

verb

ˈhȯr-ə-ˌfī 

as in to frighten

to strike with fear

the old black-and-white psychological thriller still horrifies audiences

Synonyms & Similar Words

• frighten
• scare
• terrify
• startle
• spook
• shock
• terrorize
• panic
• fright
• scarify
• alarm
• shake
• affright
• appall
• amaze
• astound
• worry
• distract
• give one the creeps
• dismay
• make one's flesh creep
• awe
• shake up
• unnerve
• daunt
• unsettle
• jolt
• disturb
• dispirit
• emasculate
• disconcert
• upset
• discomfort
• demoralize
• perturb
• distress
• disquiet
• floor
• psych (out)
• unman
• undo
• bowl over
• discompose
• unstring
• chill

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reassure
• assure
• soothe
• comfort
• cheer
• encourage
• inspire
• console
• steel
• solace
• embolden
• hearten

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb horrify contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of horrify are appall, daunt, and dismay. While all these words mean "to unnerve or deter by arousing fear, apprehension, or aversion," horrify stresses a reaction of horror or revulsion.

was horrified by such wanton cruelty

When is appall a more appropriate choice than horrify?

While in some cases nearly identical to horrify, appall implies that one is faced with that which perturbs, confounds, or shocks.

I am appalled by your behavior

In what contexts can daunt take the place of horrify?

In some situations, the words daunt and horrify are roughly equivalent. However, daunt suggests a cowing, disheartening, or frightening in a venture requiring courage.

a cliff that would daunt the most intrepid climber

Where would dismay be a reasonable alternative to horrify?

The words dismay and horrify are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dismay implies that one is disconcerted and at a loss as to how to deal with something.

dismayed at the size of the job

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of horrify

The crimes and the trial would captivate and horrify all of south Florida. —Troy Roberts, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026

They are horrified by their old lyrics, so full of obvious wish fulfillment by sleazy males looking to attract an unabashedly sleazy nation. —Andrew Walsh, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Apr. 2026

The narration returns obsessively to the moments of violence between the parents, which horrify the boy. —Tim Parks, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026

The Hortas were horrified to learn that Tania Hernandez, the owner of the small house where their friend was going hungry, was a social services worker for the state charged with the mission of saving frail, elderly and disabled adults like Rabell. —Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026