horrendous

adjective

hor·​ren·​dous hȯ-ˈren-dəs How to pronounce horrendous (audio)
hä-,
hə-
: extremely bad or unpleasant : horrible, dreadful
His audition was horrendous.
horrendous crimes
horrendously adverb

Examples of horrendous in a Sentence

Her taste in clothes is horrendous. a horrendous explosion shook the building
Recent Examples on the Web The loss of life and innocence, and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, the families and first responders. Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 10 Aug. 2024 Consider how the cover art for these books all show their subject — Trump and Biden alike — in horrendous pore-gaping closeup. Alexander Sorondo, Vox, 31 July 2024 The loss of life and innocence, and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, the families, and first responders. Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 30 July 2024 The loss of life and innocence and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, the families, and first responders. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for horrendous 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'horrendous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin horrendus "inspiring terror or awe, dreadful" (gerundive of horrēre "to be stiffly erect, bristle, shudder, shiver") + -ous — more at horror entry 1

First Known Use

1659, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of horrendous was in 1659

Dictionary Entries Near horrendous

Cite this Entry

“Horrendous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/horrendous. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.

Kids Definition

horrendous

adjective
hor·​ren·​dous hȯ-ˈren-dəs How to pronounce horrendous (audio)
hä-,
hə-
horrendously adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on horrendous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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