horrid

adjective

hor·​rid ˈhȯr-əd How to pronounce horrid (audio)
ˈhär-
Synonyms of horridnext
1
: innately offensive or repulsive:
a
: inspiring horror : shocking
horrid living conditions
b
: inspiring disgust or loathing : nasty
a horrid man
c
: extremely bad or unpleasant : horrible
the tenor bell … gives out a horrid discordant noise— Robert Graves
2
archaic : rough, bristling
horridly adverb
horridness noun

Synonyms

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Examples of horrid in a Sentence

People there are living in horrid conditions. He's a horrid little man.
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.
Fears of an economic recession have been cited as a catalyst for the stock market’s horrid run this week. — Fred Imbert, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2025 He was yanked against the Capitals after allowing five goals in a horrid appearance on Saturday. — Josh Yohe, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025 But that horrid performance was in Test cricket, where his technique and declining reflexes came under fire. — Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025 Bench heater Aden Holloway struggled for Auburn last season, shooting a horrid 32 percent from the field. — Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 15 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for horrid

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin horridus "bristly, rough, uncouth, shivering with cold, inspiring dread," from horrēre "to be stiffly erect, bristle (of hair, weapons, plants), shudder, shiver" + -idus, adjective suffix of quality — more at horror entry 1

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of horrid was in 1590

Rhymes for horrid

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horrid
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Cite this Entry

“Horrid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/horrid. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

horrid

adjective
hor·​rid ˈhȯr-əd How to pronounce horrid (audio)
ˈhär-
1
: inspiring horror : shocking
2
a
: arousing disgust : nasty
a horrid man
b
: horrible sense 2
had horrid manners
horridly adverb
horridness noun

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