horrify
gb/hˈɔɹəfˌaɪ/ us/hˈɔɹəfˌaɪ/
C1
English
elborzaszt
VERB
C1
1
elborzaszt
C1
Usage pattern:
[something] horrifies [someone]; It horrifies [someone] that [clause]
The footage horrified many viewers.
A felvétel sok nézőt elborzasztott.
It horrifies me that people can treat animals that way.
Elborzaszt, hogy az emberek így tudnak bánni az állatokkal.
Her casual jokes about the tragedy horrified the families involved.
Learner examples
The news horrified me.
A hír elborzasztott.
I was horrified by what I saw.
Elborzadtam attól, amit láttam.
Common mistake:
Usually transitive: you horrify someone (or someone is horrified). It is less common to use it without an object.
Meaning
shock and upset deeply
Collocations
deeply horrify
|absolutely horrify
|horrify the public
|horrify viewers
|horrify readers
|horrify the community
|horrify someone to think
|horrify someone that...
|be horrified by
|be horrified at
Synonyms
appall (Very close in meaning; slightly more formal.)
|
shock (Often weaker and less focused on moral disgust.)
|
disgust (Emphasizes revulsion more than shock or fear.)
Antonyms
delight (To give pleasure rather than shock or disgust.)
|
reassure (To reduce fear or worry rather than cause it.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|news_media
Definition
To make someone feel very shocked and upset.
To make someone feel very shocked, frightened, or disgusted.
Grammar
Dictionary form
horrify
IPA
GB/hˈɔɹəfˌaɪ/
US/hˈɔɹəfˌaɪ/
Syllables & stress
hor - rify (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (hor)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: horrify
- 3rd Person Singular: horrifies
- Present Participle: horrifying
- Past: horrified
Word family
Expressions
be horrified (by/at)
1/bˈi hˈɔɹəfˌaɪd bˈaɪət/
fixed phrase
feel shocked and upset
To feel very shocked and upset because of something.
Examples
- I was horrified by the way he spoke to the staff.
- They were horrified at the amount of waste they saw.
- She was horrified by the message and deleted it immediately.
Learner examples
- I was horrified by the accident.
- He is horrified at the idea.
be horrified to hear/learn/see
1/bˈi hˈɔɹəfˌaɪd tə hˈiɹlˈɛɹnsˈi/
fixed phrase
react with shock to news
To feel very shocked when you find something out.
Examples
- We were horrified to learn that the building had no fire exits.
- She was horrified to see how sick the dog looked.
- He was horrified to hear what had happened to his friend.
Learner examples
- I was horrified to hear the news.
- She was horrified to see the damage.