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Derived Forms
- horˈrendously, adverb
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Other Words From
- hor·rendous·ly adverb
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Word History and Origins
Origin of horrendous1
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Word History and Origins
Origin of horrendous1
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Example Sentences
News networks including FOX 23 and 60 Minutes are making efforts to teach viewers more about the lasting impact of the horrendous events that will forever impact our people.
Ad prices have gone up, holiday advertising spend was horrendous on all channels, and efficiency is way down.
For a runner like Liang to lose his life, conditions must have been truly horrendous.
The ants are aggressive, “horrendous pests” with stinging bites and are tough to get rid of.
When Walmart pharmacists warned headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, about doctors who operated “known pill mills,” did “not practice real medicine” and had “horrendous prescribing practices,” headquarters ignored their pleas, the lawsuit asserts.
Different countries and different conflicts, yet the same horrendous stories of violence emerge.
It takes just as long to fly to Miami, he ponders, as it does to navigate the horrendous traffic on the Long Island Expressway.
My religion did not allow me to be quiet about these horrendous crimes that I have seen.
It was horrendous, because what the temperature of that water does to your pride… Stone: …and Prejudice.
Even when bred in captivity, Leahy said breeding facilities are often horrendous, resembling factory farming.
I jammed it on my head and then grabbed my throat and made horrendous retching noises.
Monstr'-inform'-ingens-horrendous Demoniaco-seraphic Penman's latest piece of graphic.
The horrendous act of Jacob Miller, therefore, created a sensation.
Or, rather, each horrendous brain had a few partially material appendages and appurtenances recognizable as bodily organs.
Slowly, irresistibly, the horrendous figure stalked forth into the dim light.
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Related Words
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More About Horrendous
What does horrendous mean?
Horrendous is popularly used to mean extremely bad—awful, dreadful, or horrible.
It can also mean literally causing horror—horrifying or horrific, as in horrendous violence.
Example: If you’re wondering what cake tastes like when you accidentally use salt instead of sugar, it’s horrendous—completely disgusting and inedible.
Where does horrendous come from?
The first records of horrendous in English come from the 1600s. It comes from the Latin horrendus, meaning “fearful.” It ultimately derives from the Latin horrēre, which means “to tremble” or “to bristle” (a reference to one’s hair standing on end due to extreme fear) and is the basis of the word horror and the related words horrible, horrific, horrifying, and horrid.
Horrendous is perhaps most popularly used to simply mean “really bad,” in much the same way that horrible, terrible, and awful are often used, as in I had a horrendous time at that party—no one would talk to me! Sometimes, though, horrendous means truly horrific or horrifying, as in In my 30 years on the job, I’ve never seen a crime scene more horrendous than this. Real-life horror like violence can be described as horrendous, but you wouldn’t call a horror movie horrendous to mean it was really scary—you’d probably call it horrifying or terrifying. If it was really stupid and poorly made, though, then could call it horrendous. (Unless it was so bad it was good, in which case you might call it terrific!)
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What are some other forms related to horrendous?
- horrendously (adverb)
What are some synonyms for horrendous?
What are some words that share a root or word element with horrendous?
What are some words that often get used in discussing horrendous?
How is horrendous used in real life?
Horrendous can be used in extremely serious context as well as not-so-serious ones. War crimes are truly horrendous, but an actor’s bad accent in a movie can also be described as horrendous.
Just spoke to my sister who lives in Melbourne. It’s truly horrendous what’s happening in Australia. Thankfully she’s safe at the minute but I can’t help but worry
— feckless fox 💙💙💙 (@sam56759067) January 4, 2020
2000s fashion was utterly horrendous
— jessie ⁷ (@dntletmeflv) April 23, 2020
That’s a truly horrendous trade for the Giants. I can’t say much more.
— Will Manso (@WillManso) March 13, 2019
Try using horrendous!
Which of the following words is NOT a synonym for horrendous?
A. horrible
B. awful
C. terrible
D. terrific
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