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

The Patriots were in terrible shape until Vrabel showed up and pulled them out of the gutter. —Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025

Both are solid additions to a terrible defense, but there’s still work to do. —Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 2025

You’ve been attacked, manipulated by terrible people. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 30 Dec. 2025

Another reason, though, is that on this side of death an experience of God’s presence is terrible, in the biblical sense, and followed by an excruciating sense of absence. —Christian Wiman, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025

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