ENGLISH
REFERENCE

horrifying

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈhɔɹəˌfaɪɪŋ// UK //hˈɒɹɪfˌaɪɪŋ// hor·ri·fy·ing

adj. causing a feeling of great shock, fear, or disgust. You use it to describe something that is extremely scary or upsetting.

adj. causing intense horror, shock, or dismay. Often used to describe events or sights that are deeply disturbing or morally offensive.


SIMPLE

The news reported a horrifying accident on the highway.

CONTEXTUAL

Witnesses described the scene as horrifying, with smoke and fire visible from several blocks away.

COMPLEX

The documentary provides a horrifying account of the famine, using archival footage to illustrate the sheer scale of human suffering during that decade.

Synonyms
Usage

Often follows linking verbs like 'be', 'look', or 'sound'; can be modified by degree adverbs like 'absolutely' or 'truly'.

Pitfall

I was horrifying by the newsI was horrified by the newsLearners often confuse the -ing adjective (the cause) with the -ed adjective (the feeling). Use 'horrifying' for the event and 'horrified' for the person's reaction.

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