# horrified

/ˈhɔɹəˌfaɪd/ (US) · /hˈɒɹɪfˌaɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/horrified
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. shocked and scared

adjective · CEFR B2

feeling very shocked and scared because something very bad or unpleasant has happened.

For teachers: experiencing a strong feeling of shock, fear, or disgust in response to something perceived as terrible or morally wrong.

- The neighbors were horrified when they saw the damage from the fire.
- The public was deeply horrified by the graphic details of the crime revealed during the televised trial.

Usage: often followed by the prepositions 'by' or 'at'

Teaching tip: Learners often confuse this with 'scared'; explain that 'horrified' implies a deeper sense of shock or moral disgust rather than just physical fear.

## Examples

- She was horrified by the news of the accident.
- The witnesses stood in silence, horrified by the sudden collapse of the old bridge during the storm.
- The public was deeply horrified by the revelations in the documentary, which exposed the systemic neglect within the city's oldest healthcare facilities.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.