horrific
adj. B2 Upper Intermediate US //hɔˈɹɪfɪk// UK //hɒɹˈɪfɪk// hor·rif·ic
adj. extremely bad, shocking, or scary. You use it to describe something that makes you feel deep fear or disgust.
adj. causing intense horror, shock, or disgust. Often used to describe physical violence, accidents, or deeply distressing news.
The news reported a horrific accident on the highway.
The survivors shared horrific stories about the storm that destroyed their entire village.
The documentary provides a horrific account of the famine, detailing the systemic failures that led to such widespread suffering and loss of life.
Borrowed from Latin horrificus, from horreō (“to be afraid”) + -ficō (“to make”).
Usage
Typically used as an attributive adjective before a noun, but can also follow linking verbs like 'be' or 'look'.