absolutely horrifying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absolutely horrifying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is extremely frightening or disturbing. Example: "The movie was absolutely horrifying, leaving the audience in shock and disbelief."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"It was absolutely horrifying when we were sitting there in traffic.

The Guardian

"It is absolutely horrifying when you terminate people for doing a good job.

The New York Times

More often than we'd like, phones are announced with absolutely horrifying names.

TechCrunch

Absolutely horrifying.

Huffington Post

That's absolutely horrifying.

Huffington Post

Emma: Absolutely horrifying... the whole thing.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

"I was absolutely horrified.

BBC

She was absolutely horrified.

The Guardian

My family was absolutely horrified.

The New York Times - Travel

The thought would have absolutely horrified him.

The Guardian

The Scottish-born Ms. Glennie said she was "absolutely horrified".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance your writing, consider the context of the situation you are describing. Does the situation warrant the use of such a strong phrase, or would a milder term be more appropriate?

Common error

Avoid overusing intensifiers like "absolutely". While it can add emphasis, using it too frequently can weaken its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic. Vary your vocabulary to maintain a balanced tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absolutely horrifying" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. Ludwig AI indicates that it is a correct and usable phrase to express strong negative emotions or reactions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "absolutely horrifying" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjective phrase used to express intense feelings of shock, fear, or disgust. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for describing situations that evoke strong negative emotions. While versatile, it is best used when a strong emotional impact is desired and a more subtle tone is not required. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts. Consider alternative phrases like "utterly dreadful" or "completely appalling" to maintain a balanced and varied tone. Be mindful of overusing intensifiers like "absolutely" to avoid diminishing their impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly dreadful

Replaces "horrifying" with "dreadful" for a slightly less intense but similar feeling of aversion.

completely appalling

Substitutes "horrifying" with "appalling", emphasizing the shocking and unacceptable nature of something.

thoroughly shocking

Replaces "horrifying" with "shocking" to focus on the surprise and dismay caused by something.

truly dreadful

Emphasizes the extreme unpleasantness or inferiority of something.

absolutely terrible

Uses "terrible" as a more general term for something extremely bad or unpleasant.

genuinely disturbing

Replaces "horrifying" with "disturbing", focusing on the unsettling or unsettling nature of something.

positively ghastly

Replaces "horrifying" with "ghastly" to suggest something resembling a ghost in its repulsiveness.

downright scary

Uses "scary" for a more direct and less formal expression of fear or alarm.

simply awful

Uses "awful" as a more common and less intense synonym for "horrifying".

quite alarming

Emphasizes the alarming or worrying nature of a situation, rather than its terrifying aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "absolutely horrifying" in a sentence?

You can use "absolutely horrifying" to describe something extremely frightening, shocking, or unpleasant. For example, "The thought of losing my job is absolutely horrifying."

What are some alternatives to "absolutely horrifying"?

Some alternatives include "utterly dreadful", "completely appalling", or "thoroughly shocking", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "absolutely horrifying" too strong for formal writing?

While "absolutely horrifying" is acceptable, consider the tone and audience. In very formal contexts, a more restrained phrase like "deeply concerning" or "extremely alarming" may be more appropriate.

What makes something "absolutely horrifying" versus just "horrifying"?

The addition of "absolutely" intensifies the feeling of horror. It suggests that the thing being described is not just bad, but extremely and unequivocally so.