horrendous

adjective

hor·​ren·​dous hȯ-ˈren-dəs How to pronounce horrendous (audio)
hä-,
hə-
: extremely bad or unpleasant : horrible, dreadful
His audition was horrendous.
horrendous crimes
horrendously adverb

Examples of horrendous in a Sentence

Her taste in clothes is horrendous. a horrendous explosion shook the building
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Elements of this horrendous idea resemble what Trump said in February. Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025 The keys will be seeing what Bailey can do and if Williams can show he’s learned from his horrendous rookie campaign. Zach Harper, New York Times, 9 July 2025 The Bayern Munich playmaker exited the game after a horrendous foul by PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma at the edge of the box. Manuel Veth, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025 If your grout isn't horrendous with dirt or stains, this might be a great cleaner for brightening the lines. Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 28 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for horrendous

Word History

Etymology

Latin horrendus "inspiring terror or awe, dreadful" (gerundive of horrēre "to be stiffly erect, bristle, shudder, shiver") + -ous — more at horror entry 1

First Known Use

1659, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of horrendous was in 1659

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Horrendous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/horrendous. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

horrendous

adjective
hor·​ren·​dous hȯ-ˈren-dəs How to pronounce horrendous (audio)
hä-,
hə-
horrendously adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on horrendous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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