horror-struck
Adjective: - Stricken with horror; filled with extreme fear, shock, or disgust: Describes a state of being overwhelmed by a sudden, intense feeling of horror or terror.
The adjective "horror-struck" is used to describe someone's immediate and profound emotional reaction to a terrifying, shocking, or appalling sight or event. It emphasizes a state of being frozen or paralyzed by fear.
Examples: - The audience was horror-struck by the sudden, violent scene in the film. - She stood horror-struck at the edge of the cliff, watching the car plunge into the sea below. - The horror-struck villagers could only stare as the monster approached.
- "horror-struck" vs. "horrified": While both mean to be filled with horror, "horror-struck" often implies a more sudden, immediate, and physically arresting shock. "Horrified" can describe a more prolonged state of shock or moral outrage.
- He was horror-struck for a moment before he could scream. (Emphasizes the instantaneous, paralyzing impact)
- She was horrified by the government's inaction over many months. (Emphasizes a sustained feeling)
- Horror-stricken (adjective): A direct synonym, identical in meaning and usage to "horror-struck."
- The horror-stricken expression on his face said it all.
- Aghast (adjective): Filled with horror or shock.
- Terrified (adjective): Filled with terror, which is extreme fear.
- Aghast
- Appalled
- Horrified
- Terrified
- Stunned (can imply shock without the specific element of horror)
While "horror-struck" itself is not typically part of a larger idiom, it is used in descriptive phrases to convey a powerful reaction. - To be struck with horror: A phrase with a very similar meaning, where "struck" conveys the suddenness of the feeling. - They were struck with horror at the news.
- stricken with horror