horrendous

[ haw-ren-duhs, ho- ]

adjective

1. shockingly dreadful; horrible:

   a horrendous crime.

   Synonyms: hideous, frightful, appalling

horrendous

/ hɒˈrɛndəs /

adjective

1. another word for horrific

Derived Forms

• horˈrendously, adverb

Other Words From

• hor·rendous·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of horrendous¹

1650–60; < Latin horrendus dreadful, to be feared (gerund of horrēre to bristle, shudder), equivalent to horr- (akin to hirsute ) + -endus gerund suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of horrendous¹

C17: from Latin horrendus fearful, from horrēre to bristle, shudder, tremble; see horror

Example Sentences

"All of a sudden there was a horrendous growl and this dog came running and pounced on Alfred," Ms Gunston said.

From BBC

Richard John, a Conservative councillor for Mitchel Troy and Trellech ward, described the fire as "horrendous" and "heartbreaking" as he thanked emergency services on X, formerly known as Twitter.

From BBC

“It was absolutely horrendous. We were really struggling, having to scrounge around for masks and gloves,“ says Mandi Masters, a community midwife from Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire.

From BBC

Sir Keir said: "There is a criminal empire operating on our continent, exacting a horrendous human toll and undermining our national security."

From BBC

Jamie Smith's run and swipe at Sajid Khan was horrendous, especially with Joe Root not out at the other end.

From BBC

Related Words

• abhorrent
• appalling
• atrocious
• awful
• dire
• disastrous
• dreadful
• extreme
• frightful
• ghastly
• gruesome
• harrowing
• hideous
• horrible
• horrid