Synonyms of terrible

terrible

adjective

ˈter-ə-bəl 

1

as in horrible

causing fear

a terrible nightmare that woke me up

Synonyms & Similar Words

• horrible
• terrifying
• formidable
• frightening
• scary
• dread
• intimidating
• dreadful
• alarming
• shocking
• fearful
• horrifying
• horrendous
• startling
• ghastly
• frightful
• eerie
• dire
• direful
• creepy
• gruesome
• fearsome
• trying
• forbidding
• troubling
• disturbing
• threatening
• redoubtable
• spine-chilling
• discouraging
• hideous
• weird
• hair-raising
• unnerving
• daunting
• awful
• dismaying
• disconcerting
• demoralizing
• perturbing
• appalling
• disquieting
• horrid
• distressing
• nightmarish
• atrocious
• grisly
• monstrous
• macabre
• bone-chilling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reassuring
• comforting
• relaxing
• soothing
• calming
• inviting
• consoling
• tranquilizing
• quieting
• nonthreatening
• lulling
• pacifying
• nonintimidating

2

as in intense

extreme in degree, power, or effect

I have a terrible headache

Synonyms & Similar Words

• intense
• intensive
• fierce
• ferocious
• deep
• furious
• heavy
• dreadful
• violent
• profound
• vicious
• acute
• ghastly
• fearful
• frightful
• explosive
• excruciating
• exquisite
• fearsome
• blistering
• hard
• vehement
• keen
• heavy-duty
• hellacious
• almighty
• intensified
• harsh
• aggravated
• severe
• heightened
• concentrated
• enhanced
• magnified
• stressed
• exhaustive
• thorough
• deepened
• accentuated
• emphasized
• rigorous

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weak
• light
• moderate
• soft
• feeble
• superficial
• shallow
• qualified
• decreased
• eased
• diminished
• moderated
• reduced
• toned (down)
• subdued
• lightened
• lessened
• alleviated
• abated

3

as in horrific

extremely disturbing or repellent

that is a terrible movie to let your six-year-old watch

Synonyms & Similar Words

• horrific
• gruesome
• horrible
• shocking
• nightmare
• awful
• terrific
• dreadful
• frightening
• horrifying
• hideous
• terrifying
• appalling
• horrid
• scary
• horrendous
• nightmarish
• atrocious
• ghastly
• grisly
• sickening
• frightful
• monstrous
• disgusting
• macabre
• lurid
• ugly
• fearful
• dire
• alarming
• formidable
• obscene
• direful
• offensive
• loathsome
• deplorable
• revolting
• repulsive
• grotesque
• abominable
• disagreeable
• heinous
• abhorrent
• unspeakable
• evil
• obnoxious
• repugnant
• fearsome
• odious
• intimidating
• forbidding
• gut-wrenching
• vile
• distasteful
• redoubtable
• noxious
• nauseating
• bloodcurdling
• heart-stopping
• hair-raising
• unsightly
• noisome
• foul

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pleasant
• delightful
• attractive
• delicious
• welcome
• enjoyable
• agreeable
• appealing
• satisfying
• pleasurable
• pleasing
• enticing
• delectable
• inviting
• comforting
• soothing
• cheering

4

as in awful

extremely unsatisfactory

this nonfat ice cream is terrible

Synonyms & Similar Words

• horrible
• awful
• poor
• bad
• atrocious
• abysmal
• dismal
• lousy
• rotten
• wretched
• execrable
• sucky
• defective
• flawed
• inadequate
• shameful
• substandard
• miserable
• insufficient
• deficient
• inferior
• punk
• mediocre
• contemptible
• useless
• worthless
• lacking
• wanting
• faulty
• off
• reprehensible
• abominable
• low-grade
• odious
• damnable
• valueless
• vile
• bum
• fiendish
• second-rate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• great
• wonderful
• marvelous
• excellent
• exceptional
• superior
• prime
• adequate
• choice
• first-class
• sufficient
• premium
• bitchin'
• acceptable
• satisfactory
• first-rate

5

as in poor

of low quality

manufactures terrible clothes that often tear after a single wash

Synonyms & Similar Words

• poor
• bad
• cheap
• inferior
• rotten
• common
• coarse
• wretched
• miserable
• worthless
• mediocre
• useless
• shoddy
• lousy
• crappy
• execrable
• rubbishy
• bum
• cheesy
• low-grade
• trashy
• junky
• low-rent
• second-rate
• sleazy
• counterfeit
• fake
• cheapjack
• trumpery
• gimcrack
• lackluster
• schlock
• cut-rate
• bargain-basement
• indifferent
• el cheapo
• valueless
• tawdry
• gaudy
• second-class
• meretricious
• shabby
• garish
• showy
• kitschy
• flashy
• tacky
• glitzy
• ostentatious
• kitsch
• seedy
• swank
• splashy
• sham
• phony
• brummagem
• ultracheap
• supercheap

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• good
• excellent
• fine
• superior
• first-class
• high-grade
• elegant
• handsome
• first-rate
• top-notch
• tasteful
• polished
• refined
• handcrafted

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of terrible

Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026

Realizing her terrible move, Lilith must join forces with Cinderella (Amanda Seyfried) in an epic quest, with battles royale and friendships forged along the way. — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2026

The Dodgers then set him up for a victory by taking advantage of a terrible decision by Brewers manager Pat Murphy. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

He was not helped by some terrible personnel moves orchestrated by Crane and Jeff Bagwell and others who wanted to play GM for a while (Jose Abreu, Rafael Montero). — Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 15 Oct. 2026

Phrases Containing terrible

• enfant terrible