terrible

adjective

ter·​ri·​ble ˈter-ə-bəl How to pronounce terrible (audio)
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

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.
Djokovic knew he’d be seeded to play one of Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev or Taylor Fritz in the quarters, and in the end landed Zverev, which isn’t a terrible outcome, but would leave him with a possible Sinner-Alcaraz double bill in the semifinals and final to lift the trophy. Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 22 May 2025 One night the fish was very overcooked and covered with a terrible sauce. Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 22 May 2025 And the hard way, military force, would be terrible for them. Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025 Consult a doctor, not social media Mouth taping isn’t necessarily terrible across the board, however. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 21 May 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Terrible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrible. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

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 adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on terrible

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