horrifying

UK: /ˈhɒrɪfaɪɪŋ/

From the verb horrify: (⇒ conjugate)

horrifying is: ⓘ

v pres p

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

horrifying / ˈhɒrɪˌfaɪɪŋ/ adjective

1. causing feelings of horror in; awful; terrifying
2. dismaying or greatly shocking; dreadful

ˈhorriˌfyingly adverb

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

hor•ri•fy /ˈhɔrəˌfaɪ, ˈhɑr-/   v. [~ + object] , -fied, -fy•ing. 

1. to cause to feel horror;
   to distress greatly;
   shock:
   The accident horrified the onlookers.

See -horr-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

hor•ri•fy  (hôr′ə fī′, hor′-), v.t., -fied, -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.

• Latin horrificāre to cause horror, equivalent. to horri- (combining form of horrēre to bristle with fear; see horrendous) + -ficāre -fy
• 1785–95

hor′ri•fi•ca′tion, n. 
hor′ri•fy′ing•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

frighten, terrify; repel, appall.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

horrify / ˈhɒrɪˌfaɪ/ verb ( -fies, -fying, -fied)(transitive)

1. to cause feelings of horror in; terrify; frighten
2. to dismay or shock greatly

ˌhorrifiˈcation noun