The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word HORRORS
H
O
R
R
O
R
S
More clues leading to the result HORRORS
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "how awful" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case how awful = horrors.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does HORRORS mean?
HORRORS noun- An intense distressing emotion of fear or repugnance.
- Something horrible; that which excites horror.
- Intense dislike or aversion; an abhorrence.
- A genre of fiction designed to evoke a feeling of fear and suspense.
- An individual work in this genre.
- A nasty or ill-behaved person; a rascal or terror.
- An intense anxiety or a nervous depression; often the horrors.
- (plural) Delirium tremens.