more horrific

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more horrific" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the level of horror or frightfulness of two or more things, indicating that one is worse than the other. Example: "The sequel to the horror movie was even more horrific than the original, leaving audiences terrified."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

That makes it all the more horrific".

The Guardian - Books

The news from Rotherham becomes more horrific.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the details were even more horrific.

The Guardian - Books

And this is more horrific than anything I've ever done.

The New York Times

In this case, however, something even more horrific was afoot.

The Guardian

But nightmares are never more horrific than real life.

The Guardian

Weeks later, more horrific details of the strike emerged: the U.S. had shot at M.S.F.

The New Yorker

They consider him "common" and — even more horrific — eager to earn money.

The New Yorker

"The screams got more horrific, and the tone was different," Ms. Faula recalled.

The New York Times

The ride was more horrific than any part of the journey to that point.

The New Yorker

In theory some of IT's incarnations sound more horrific than others.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "more horrific" to describe situations or events that surpass a baseline level of horror. It's effective for highlighting the escalating nature of disturbing or frightening phenomena.

Common error

Avoid using "more horrific" excessively in contexts where it exaggerates the situation. Overusing such strong language can diminish its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more horrific" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by indicating that something possesses a greater degree of horror than something else. This usage aligns with Ludwig's confirmation of its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Books

13%

Opinion

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Sport

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "more horrific" is a grammatically sound and commonly used comparative adjective phrase that serves to intensify the level of horror associated with a subject. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. While it appears most frequently in News & Media, it is also present in Books and Opinion pieces, indicating a neutral register. However, it's important to avoid overuse to maintain its impact. Alternatives like "more terrifying" or "more gruesome" can provide nuanced variations. As Ludwig indicates, understanding these subtle differences ensures precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even more terrifying

This alternative directly replaces "horrific" with "terrifying", emphasizing the fear-inducing aspect.

considerably more dreadful

This phrase uses "dreadful" to convey a sense of great unpleasantness or fear, amplified by "considerably".

far more frightening

This alternative uses "frightening" instead of "horrific", focusing on causing fear or alarm.

significantly more appalling

This phrase replaces "horrific" with "appalling", highlighting the shocking and deeply unpleasant nature.

substantially more gruesome

This alternative uses "gruesome" to emphasize the repulsive or horrifyingly graphic nature of something.

noticeably more spine-chilling

This phrase uses "spine-chilling" to describe something that evokes intense fear or excitement.

markedly more macabre

This alternative incorporates "macabre" to emphasize the disturbing and gruesome nature, often associated with death.

strikingly more nightmarish

This alternative uses "nightmarish" to describe something resembling a terrifying dream, emphasizing the unreal and frightening aspect.

exceptionally more petrifying

This alternative replaces "horrific" with "petrifying", focusing on inducing extreme fear or paralysis.

unusually more ghastly

This phrase uses "ghastly" to describe something shockingly frightful or dreadful.

FAQs

How can I use "more horrific" in a sentence?

You can use "more horrific" to compare two disturbing events, indicating that one is worse than the other. For example, "The details of the second crime were "more horrific" than the first".

What are some alternatives to saying "more horrific"?

Alternatives include "more terrifying", "more dreadful", or "more gruesome", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "more horrific" in formal writing?

While "more horrific" is grammatically correct, consider the tone and audience of your writing. In some formal contexts, alternatives like "more appalling" or "more disturbing" might be more suitable.

What makes something "more horrific" than something else?

The degree of horror can depend on factors like the intensity of violence, the level of suffering involved, the unexpectedness of the event, or the violation of moral standards. A crime might be "more horrific" if it involves children or demonstrates extreme cruelty.