horrifying

Horrifying is an English adjective describing something that provokes horror, fear, or shock. It is typically used for events, descriptions, or imagery that is disturbing, gruesome, or unsettling, and it often signals a strong emotional reaction rather than a mere critique.

Etymology: The word derives from the verb horrify, from Latin horrere "to shudder, dread," through Old French into English. The -ing suffix forms the present participle, yielding "horrifying" to describe the thing that causes horror.

Usage and nuance: In journalism, fiction, film, and ordinary speech, horrifying can refer to extreme violence, disasters, or disturbing revelations that induce visceral fear or revulsion. It emphasizes the immediate emotional impact and spectacle, and can be used interchangeably with "terrifying" or "shocking" in some contexts, though it often carries a heavier connotation of disturbing content. Compare "horrifying scene" with "horrific scene"—both convey fear, but "horrifying" foregrounds the act or image as the source of fear.

See also and related terms: horror, horrify, horrific, horror film, horror genre.

Sensitivity and ethics: Because horrifying content can depict graphic violence or abuse, usage may require caution, audience awareness, and content warnings.