“Horrible” vs. “Scary”: What’s the Difference?

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The difference between “horrible” and “scary”

  • Horrible describes something that is unpleasant or distressing, while scary describes something that is frightening.
  • Horrible can refer to something that is cruel and wicked, while scary can refer to something that is eerie or creepy.
  • Horrible can cause emotional pain, while scary can cause physical reactions like goosebumps or a racing heartbeat.
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What is the definition of “horrible” and “scary”?

Horrible
  • Something that is extremely unpleasant or causing great distress.
  • It can refer to something that is shocking, distressing or appalling.
  • The term can also be used to describe something that is cruel and wicked.
Scary
  • Something that causes fright or fear in a person.
  • It can refer to something that is eerie, creepy or unsettling.
  • The term can also be used to describe something that is dangerous or risky.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Scary” is the more popular variant on the web.
Horrible
187,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. The food at the party was horrible that I couldn't even eat a single bite.
  2. She had a horrible experience with her last dentist, hence, she's now afraid to visit one.
  3. The traffic during rush hour is always horrible on this road.
More popular
Scary
386,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. She screamed loudly when she saw the scary spider on the wall.
  2. The movie we watched last night was so scary that I couldn't sleep properly.
  3. He refused to go to the haunted house because it looked too scary even from the outside.
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