1
as in horrible
causing fear
a terrible nightmare that woke me up
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
I have a terrible headache
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in horrific
extremely disturbing or repellent
that is a terrible movie to let your six-year-old watch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in awful
extremely unsatisfactory
this nonfat ice cream is terrible
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in poor
of low quality
manufactures terrible clothes that often tear after a single wash
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of terrible
Dams and water diversions became engines of patronage, enriching insiders, killing rivers and exacting a terrible cost from rural communities.
—
Nik Kowsar, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
The conversation about taking car keys away from your parents is a terrible conversation.
—Fortune Editors, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Doctors told me of a terrible outbreak.
—Tom Frieden, Big Think, 30 Sep. 2025
The premise is just there to set up jokes about Chad Powers’ weird looks and absurd backstory (Russ likes to improvise answers, despite being terrible at it), while establishing a unique starting point for a conventional sports redemption story.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrible
Nik Kowsar, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
The conversation about taking car keys away from your parents is a terrible conversation.
—Fortune Editors, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Doctors told me of a terrible outbreak.
—Tom Frieden, Big Think, 30 Sep. 2025
The premise is just there to set up jokes about Chad Powers’ weird looks and absurd backstory (Russ likes to improvise answers, despite being terrible at it), while establishing a unique starting point for a conventional sports redemption story.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrible
Adjective
-
While that might be great for the profitability in real estate, in consumer goods and apparel, that’s horrible.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
6 Oct. 2025
-
In the past, the Soviet Union had a horrible impact on Georgian wine.—
Jessica Jungbauer,
Vogue,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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During periods of intense rainfall, the risk of flooding increases, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Safdie perceptively locates the protagonist’s troubling inner contradictions—the atavistic fury that drives him to compete and the intense self-control that competition demands—but dramatizes such outer crises as opioid addiction and conflict with his girlfriend (Emily Blunt) only schematically.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
His horrific crimes went on to inspire classic horror movies like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, The Silence of the Lambs and Psycho.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Reading out the verdict, Korner recounted the horrific crimes committed by Abd–Al-Rahman, including gang rapes, abuse, and mass killings.—
Emmanuel Akinwotu,
NPR,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Apparently, Canadians are very pissed off at us and don't feel like visiting and spending their money here, which is awful because there are so many businesses that rely upon Canadians and tourists from other countries.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
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The cold was awful, but the rain that was predicted never came.—
Mariana Enriquez
October 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
My adolescent cells floated away from poor me and traded places with his.—
Betty Gilpin,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Oct. 2025
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Women disproportionately suffer chronic disease, on average spend 25% more time in poor health than men, and, on average, experience the final 12 to 14 years of their lives in frail health.—
Maria Shriver,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The home of Red October used to be a terrifying place for opponents this time of year.—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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With an all-star cast featuring Amandla Stenberg, Maria Bakalova, and Rachel Sennott, Bodies is a terrifying and darkly atmospheric ride that could become a new classic.—
Samantha Allen,
Them.,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Over the next three days, Stafford and Hanton will lead you through an intensive, interactive bushcraft school.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
5 Oct. 2025
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In India, the government has begun pushing to decarbonize the iron and steel sector, one of the world’s most emissions-intensive industries, driven as much by resource and pollution pressures as by diplomacy.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Gein committed many gruesome crimes, but cannibalism was not one of them.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
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But one photo, far less gruesome, has been gnawing at me for weeks.—
Ruth Margalit,
New Yorker,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Terrible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrible. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
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