Horror vs Thriller
What’s the difference between them?
Horror
Meaning:
A strong feeling of fear, dread, and shock.
Examples:
1. The horror movie terrified the audience.
2. The girl screamed in horror as the spider crawled up her arm.
3. His stories of the war filled me with a sense of horror.
Thriller
Meaning:
A thriller is a type of suspense-filled story or film that is meant to keep the audience on the edge of their seats with excitement, anticipation, and surprise.
Examples:
1. The suspenseful music from the thriller had everyone on the edge of their seat.
2. I'm a huge fan of Michael Jackson's iconic Thriller music video.
3. I just finished reading a page-turning thriller novel!
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Horror
1. Terror
2. Fright
3. Dread
4. Appalling
5. Horrific nightmare
1. Delight
2. Calm
3. Enjoyment
4. Reassurance
5. Pleasure
Thriller
1. Mystery
2. Suspense
3. Intrigue
4. Adventure
5. Nail-biting action
1. Comedy
2. Lullaby
3. Calm
4. Tedium
5. Peaceful
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Horror", "Thriller".
1. Horror is intended to inspire fear, shock, and repulsion.
2. Thrillers are typically more suspenseful and engage the audience in its mystery.
3. To remember the difference between horror and thriller, use the mnemonic phrase 'Thrillers give you the creeps, but horrors make you scream'.
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
In what situations should the first word be used?
Horror is a genre of entertainment, typically a movie, book, or television show, that involves intense fear, shock, and/or terror. Horror typically involves supernatural elements such as ghosts, monsters, or other frightening phenomena.
When is the appropriate context for using the second word?
Thriller is a genre of entertainment, typically a movie, book, or television show, that is intended to thrill the audience by creating suspense and excitement. Thrillers often involve crime or espionage and often include elements of mystery and suspense.
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
No, the two words do not share the same pronunciation. 'Horror' is pronounced /ˈhɔːr.ɚ/, while 'thriller' is pronounced /ˈθrɪl.ɚ/
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
One common mistake people make when using these words is confusing them for one another. While both genres involve suspense and excitement, horror typically includes supernatural elements, while thrillers often involve crime or espionage. Another mistake people make is using these words interchangeably when discussing entertainment, when each genre has its own unique conventions.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. She always prefers to watch __ movies late at night.
2. It was a __ story with a surprising twist at the end.
3. Hes a huge fan of __ films from the 1980s.
4. She was so scared she was screaming during the __ scene.
5. Im not a big fan of __ movies, theyre too intense for me.
6. He was telling us a __ tale that had us all on the edge of our seats.
1. She always prefers to watch Horror movies late at night.
Explanation: Horror movies are designed to be intense and suspenseful, and are often enjoyed late at night when there are fewer distractions and more time to focus on the story.
2. It was a Thriller story with a surprising twist at the end.
Explanation: A Thriller is a type of fiction that involves suspense and usually a surprise ending or twist.
3. Hes a huge fan of Horror films from the 1980s.
Explanation: Horror films are designed to scare audiences and evoke feelings of fear and dread. The 1980s was a popular time period for horror films, due to the success of franchises like Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street.
4. She was so scared she was screaming during the Horror scene.
Explanation: Horror scenes are designed to be intense and elicit fear. Screaming in response to a horror scene is a natural reaction, as it is meant to be a frightening experience.
5. Im not a big fan of Thriller movies, theyre too intense for me.
Explanation: Thriller movies are often intense and suspenseful, and can be too overwhelming for some people. Therefore, some people may not enjoy thrillers as much as other genres.
6. He was telling us a Thriller tale that had us all on the edge of our seats.
Explanation: A Thriller tale is a story that is suspenseful and engaging, and can keep people on the edge of their seats until the end.
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Download the PDF with a list of commonly confused words made as flashcards for comfortable learning.
List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.