What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
horrifying
Example
The movie was so horrifying that I had nightmares for days. [horrifying: adjective]
Example
The sight of the accident was horrifying and left me feeling sick to my stomach. [horrifying: gerund or present participle]
scary
Example
I don't like watching scary movies because they give me nightmares. [scary: adjective]
Example
The old abandoned house looked really scary in the dark. [scary: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Scary is more commonly used than horrifying in everyday language, and it covers a wider range of contexts and situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between horrifying and scary?
Horrifying is more formal and less commonly used than scary, which is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
