horrifying
/ˈhɒrɪfaɪɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈhɔːrɪfaɪɪŋ/ (ame, ipa)
horrifying — adjective
- horrifyingpositive
- more horrifyingcomparative
- most horrifyingsuperlative
1. Causing a very strong and unpleasant feeling of fear, shock, or disgust, usually
Causing a very strong and unpleasant feeling of fear, shock, or disgust, usually because of violence, cruelty, or extreme unpleasantness.
The family watched horrifying images of the hurricane damage on the evening news.
collocation: horrifying images / horrifying scenes
Oluchi found the living conditions in the refugee camp truly horrifying.
It was horrifying for Diego to learn that his childhood home had burned down.
The documentary described in horrifying detail what the prisoners went through.
Mei could not sleep after hearing the horrifying news about her cousin.
- shocking
Less intense than horrifying; means surprising in a bad way rather than deeply disturbing.
- appalling
Similar intensity, but emphasises causing dismay or moral outrage rather than fear.
- terrifying
Emphasises fear and the feeling of being scared, whereas horrifying emphasises shock and disgust.
- horrific
Very close in meaning, but often sounds more like a factual description (e.g. a horrific accident) while horrifying focuses on the emotional impact on the viewer.
- reassuring
Something that makes you feel calm and safe, the opposite of horrifying.
- pleasant
Gives a feeling of enjoyment or satisfaction, rather than shock or fear.
文法句型
horrifying + noun
be + horrifying
find/consider + noun + horrifying
It + be + horrifying + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Describes the cause of horror (the event, image, or situation), not the person who feels it. The person who experiences the feeling is described as 'horrified'. Frequently used with intensifying adverbs such as 'truly', 'absolutely', and 'utterly'.