terrible
adjective
ter·ri·ble ˈter-ə-bəl 
ˈte-rə-
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
- alarming
- dire
- direful
- dread
- dreadful
- fearful
- fearsome
- forbidding
- formidable
- frightening
- frightful
- ghastly
- hair-raising
- horrendous
- horrible
- horrifying
- intimidating
- redoubtable
- scary
- shocking
- spine-chilling
- terrifying
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 Even on a normal day, my partner and I are connoisseurs of scones and have strong opinions about what makes good ones great and bad ones terrible — and who makes the best. 
Ben Mims, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2022 When officers entered, they were forced to wear hazmat gear due to the terrible conditions, police said. Henri Hollis, ajc, 9 Sep. 2022 Because yes, Anton Black is terrible, and so is George Floyd. NBC News, 4 Sep. 2022 Mustafa Badrudduja shared that in four or five years of living in Hunt Club Farms, the Wi-Fi service options have been terrible. Gavin Good, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2022 Tribute was a genuine expression of New York’s living history, born from the loss and the defiant pride of the ordinary people whose lives, like so many on that terrible day, were changed in extraordinary and lasting ways. Dominic Green, WSJ, 31 Aug. 2022 For three weeks, the noise level was terrible, from nine to five, Monday through Friday, with no pause. Weike Wang, The New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2022 To my surprise, Kariya agreed with my claim that Web 3 design is terrible. Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2022 If someone is terrible in the morning but amazing at night, then embrace that. - Michael Bach, CCDI Consulting 10. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 15 Aug. 2022 See More
Ben Mims, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2022 When officers entered, they were forced to wear hazmat gear due to the terrible conditions, police said. Henri Hollis, ajc, 9 Sep. 2022 Because yes, Anton Black is terrible, and so is George Floyd. NBC News, 4 Sep. 2022 Mustafa Badrudduja shared that in four or five years of living in Hunt Club Farms, the Wi-Fi service options have been terrible. Gavin Good, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2022 Tribute was a genuine expression of New York’s living history, born from the loss and the defiant pride of the ordinary people whose lives, like so many on that terrible day, were changed in extraordinary and lasting ways. Dominic Green, WSJ, 31 Aug. 2022 For three weeks, the noise level was terrible, from nine to five, Monday through Friday, with no pause. Weike Wang, The New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2022 To my surprise, Kariya agreed with my claim that Web 3 design is terrible. Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2022 If someone is terrible in the morning but amazing at night, then embrace that. - Michael Bach, CCDI Consulting 10. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 15 Aug. 2022 See More 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
Phrases Containing terrible
Kids Definition
terrible
adjective
ter·ri·ble ˈter-ə-bəl
1
: very great in degree
a terrible fright
a terrible mess
2
: very bad
I got a terrible grade on the test.
3
: causing great fear
a terrible monster
terribleness
noun
as in dreadfulness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- dreadfulness
- vileness
- horribleness
- repulsiveness
- ghastliness
- loathsomeness
- offensiveness
- disagreeableness
- ugliness
- foulness
- unattractiveness
- repellency
- hideousness
- unsightliness
- nastiness
- unloveliness
- grotesqueness
- imperfection
- homeliness
- flaw
- plainness
- blemish
- unbecomingness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- loveliness
- beauty
- fairness
- prettiness
- attractiveness
- aesthetics
- cuteness
- gorgeousness
- comeliness
- handsomeness
- looks
- esthetics
- fascination
- appeal
- attraction
- beautifulness
- allure
- sightliness
- sublimity
- glamor
- glamour
- beauteousness
- elegance
- exquisiteness
- resplendence
- radiance
- charm
- gloriousness
- radiancy
- splendidness
- sublimeness
- delightfulness
- superbness
- resplendency
- splendiferousness