Definitions

horrible

[hawr-uh-buhl, hor-] / ˈhɔr ə bəl, ˈhɒr- /

ADJECTIVE

unpleasant

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abhorrent abominable appalling awful cruel disgusting dreadful eerie frightful ghastly grim grisly gruesome heinous hideous horrendous horrid lousy nasty scandalous scary shameful shocking terrible terrifying

WEAK

beastly detestable disagreeable execrable fairy fearful loathsome lurid mean obnoxious offensive repellent repulsive revolting sickie ungodly unholy unkind

Antonyms

STRONGEST

attractive beautiful calming comforting delightful encouraging gentle good great happy kind magnificent nice pleasant pleasing pretty reputable soothing wonderful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Horrible, yet honorable: Mr. Duvall’s Meechum balanced both.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 16, 2026

Viorst, who has written more than 40 books, including the children’s classic “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day,” lost her husband and moved from her beloved family home.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 31, 2025

Terry Deary, who created Horrible Histories, believes Corder has been "maligned" with Maria incorrectly portrayed as an innocent young maiden.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2025

The commission also denounced several of Bertoli’s public Facebook posts, some of which included Peanuts and Hagar the Horrible comic strips.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 30, 2024

Horrible pictures formed in Harry’s mind as he heard: “Oooh, narrow miss there, very narrow”.

From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling

Vocabulary lists containing horrible

Beowulf vocabulary

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So Bad: Synonyms for "Awful"

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"maggie and milly and molly and may"

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