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
terribleness
noun
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
But after the terrible news this past weekend, the horrifying Hanukkah massacre at Bondi Beach, the tragic shootings at Brown University and the heartbreaking deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner, all of the major stories are too dark for that.
—
Jack Dunn, Variety, 16 Dec. 2025
Mobile spin-offs of massive console/PC video games are often terrible, but Fallout Shelter gets the satisfying strategy and management sim gameplay loop right from the get-go.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 15 Dec. 2025
No matter how terrible things are, they can only be made worse by giving up and letting the powers that be have it their own way.
—Literary Hub, 15 Dec. 2025
Winter sun is good for your soul, but terrible for your wreath.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrible
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Jack Dunn, Variety, 16 Dec. 2025
Mobile spin-offs of massive console/PC video games are often terrible, but Fallout Shelter gets the satisfying strategy and management sim gameplay loop right from the get-go.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 15 Dec. 2025
No matter how terrible things are, they can only be made worse by giving up and letting the powers that be have it their own way.
—Literary Hub, 15 Dec. 2025
Winter sun is good for your soul, but terrible for your wreath.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrible
Cite this Entry
“Terrible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrible. Accessed 19 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
terrible
adjective
ter·ri·ble
ˈter-ə-bəl
2
a
: very great in degree
made a terrible mess
a terrible cold
b
: very bad in quality
terrible music
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