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
Synonyms
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 Hosmer poses an interesting thought: When the Padres were terrible, beating L.A. could make their season.
—
Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2024
There are all these dodgy TV shows and terrible films, but no one has really looked at it.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 7 Oct. 2024
Jordan Montgomery had a terrible season with the Arizona Diamondbacks and fired Boras.
—Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 7 Oct. 2024
When asked about Trump’s comments that the federal response to the recovery efforts in North Carolina was terrible and that emergency funding was being used on immigrants, Tillis gave a two-pronged response.
—Jake Piazza, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for terrible 
Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2024
There are all these dodgy TV shows and terrible films, but no one has really looked at it.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 7 Oct. 2024
Jordan Montgomery had a terrible season with the Arizona Diamondbacks and fired Boras.
—Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 7 Oct. 2024
When asked about Trump’s comments that the federal response to the recovery efforts in North Carolina was terrible and that emergency funding was being used on immigrants, Tillis gave a two-pronged response.
—Jake Piazza, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for terrible
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'terrible.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near terrible
Cite this Entry
“Terrible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrible. Accessed 24 Oct. 2024.
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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