terrible

adjective

ter·​ri·​ble ˈter-ə-bəl How to pronounce terrible (audio)
ˈte-rə-
Synonyms of terrible
1
: extremely bad: such as
a
: notably unattractive or objectionable
terrible behavior
b
: of very poor quality
a terrible movie
c
: strongly repulsive : obnoxious
a terrible smell
2
a
: difficult
in a terrible bind
b
: formidable in nature : awesome
a terrible responsibility
c
: exciting extreme alarm or intense fear : terrifying
3
: extreme, great
a terrible disappointment
terribleness noun

Synonyms of terrible

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Examples of terrible in a Sentence

Traffic was held up by a terrible accident. I have a terrible cold. The service at that restaurant is terrible.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
With all the terrible news of layoffs and that the games industry is in a dire state, some people online have said a crash is the only way to fix things. — Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 Everything the progressives are proposing has been tried before again and again, with terrible results. — David Brooks, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026 But to forcibly take their jobs from all controllers prematurely simply to follow some rigid sunset script is a terrible loss for the very shareholders the governistas claim to protect. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 6 July 2026 With Te Fiti gone, a terrible darkness began slowly taking hold of the islands and their surrounding waters. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for terrible

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin terribilis, from terrēre to frighten — more at terror

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2c

Time Traveler
The first known use of terrible was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing terrible

Rhymes for terrible

See All Rhymes for terrible

Browse Nearby Words

terribilita
terrible
terribleness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Terrible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrible. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

terrible

adjective
ter·​ri·​ble ˈter-ə-bəl How to pronounce terrible (audio)
1
: causing terror or awe : fearful, dreadful
a terrible disaster
2
a
: very great in degree
made a terrible mess
a terrible cold
b
: very bad in quality
terrible music
terribly
-blē How to pronounce terrible (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on terrible

Nglish: Translation of terrible for Spanish Speakers

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