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 of terrible

• horrible
• terrifying
• formidable
• frightening
• scary

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

From scandals, to corny tactics and platforms, to terrible analysis, this gubernatorial race has been a contest to forget. —Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 27 May 2026

To many of them, the world had become a terrible place, even if their names were not added to battlefield monuments. —Literary Hub, 27 May 2026

And then this morning, terrible. —Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 27 May 2026

That’s a terrible, that’s a loser mentality and way to look at it. —David Ubben, New York Times, 27 May 2026

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

• enfant terrible

Rhymes for terrible

• arable
• bearable
• parable
• wearable
• repairable
• unbearable

Kids Definition

terrible

adjective

ter·​ri·​ble ˈter-ə-bəl 

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 

adverb