1
: very shocking and upsetting
a terrible [=horrible] disaster/crime
Traffic was held up by a terrible accident.
We just got some terrible [=dreadful] news.
2
: very bad or unpleasant
terrible music/food
The garbage smells really terrible. [=awful]
I have a terrible cold.
What a terrible [=horrible] thing to say!
a terrible mistake
The service at that restaurant is terrible.
I'm a terrible chess player. = I'm terrible at chess. [=I play chess very badly]
I woke up this morning feeling terrible. [=very sick]
She feels terrible [=very sorry] that she hurt your feelings.
Cite this Entry
“Terrible.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/terrible. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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