horrify

[ hawr-uh-fahy, hor- ]

verb (used with object)

, hor·ri·fied, hor·ri·fy·ing.

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

Derived Forms

• ˌhorrifiˈcation, noun

Other Words From

• horri·fi·cation noun
• horri·fying·ly 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

I remember being equal parts thrilled that the mayor was engaged on the topic and horrified that he had helped set and publicize a standard to open schools that was unachievable.

From Voice of San Diego

They’re not horrified by whatever happens to their mother if they feel like they’re a part of it.

From Freakonomics

I was horrified that my sister-in-law did not merit the use of her own first name.

From Washington Post

Gainer watched the television coverage, recognizing faces of the ones he knew and trained, horrified at what was happening, proud when he saw them stand their ground and fight back.

From Washington Post

Portugal said she was horrified by his lack of compassion, combined with him providing little detail about her medical history.

From Voice of San Diego

There's a captive audience for TV shows starring people who horrify us with their behavior.

From The Daily Beast

But it cannot surprise anyone at this point that the sorts of things that horrify decent people do not horrify Ron Paul.

From The Daily Beast

Understanding is not sanction: these crimes still have the power to anger and horrify.

From The Daily Beast

Every day, newspapers and television outlets battled to see who could horrify more people with fewer words.

From The Daily Beast

This idea—becoming part of the star machine in any way—seems to horrify Friend.

From The Daily Beast

When the whole story comes to be told it will horrify the world.

From Project Gutenberg

Let a crisis arise, and you never know who may not surprise and horrify you by showing the cloven hoof.

From Project Gutenberg

Elliott chuckled to realize how such a sentiment would horrify Aunt Margaret.

From Project Gutenberg

Doubtless such a triumph would horrify Tolstoi, and he would not like to acknowledge that it might be truly useful.

From Project Gutenberg

The sight of it seemed at first to horrify but afterwards to soothe the forlorn being thus brought face to face with her own past.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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