What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
horrify
Example
The news of the terrorist attack horrified the entire nation. [horrified: verb]
Example
The sight of the dead bodies in the street was horrifying. [horrifying: adjective]
terrify
Example
The thought of being trapped in an elevator terrifies me. [terrifies: verb]
Example
The sound of the gunshots terrified the crowd. [terrified: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Terrify is more commonly used than horrify in everyday language. Terrify is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while horrify is less common and usually reserved for more extreme situations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between horrify and terrify?
Both horrify and terrify are formal words that are typically used in serious or dramatic contexts, such as news reports, literature, or film. However, terrify is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while horrify is less common and usually reserved for more formal or serious situations.
