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terrible

adjective

ˈter-ə-bəl How to pronounce terrible (audio)
Definition of terriblenext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of terrible On the day this terrible event occurred and for the following few weeks and months, our country was united in a way not seen since World War II. — Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026 Many wonderful and terrible things have happened in the 25 years since, some related to the 9/11 attacks, many not at all. — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026 McVay is 6-2 in season openers, but both of his losses were in showcase games that led to terrible season starts. — CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026 Before the terrible day was over firehouses, street corners and parks became mourning places. — Robert W. Snyder, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for terrible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrible
  1. horrible
  2. intense
  3. horrific
  4. awful
  5. poor
  6. terrifying
  7. intensive
  8. gruesome
Adjective
  • Much has been written about the power of artificial intelligence to improve life in myriad ways, but also about its truly horrible effects—now and going forward—if it isn’t managed properly.
    — Nadine Hack, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026
  • But the horrible scenes that unfolded before him were incomparable.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of horrible
Adjective
  • Broadly, the rule of thumb is to drink it during periods of intense competition (to allow for muscle recovery) while avoiding it during periods of training (to promote muscle development).
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Expect Missouri to come out sharper and fired up, as both teams will be for this intense rivalry.
    — PJ Green September 8, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of intense
Adjective
  • For advocates, the law speaks to the horrific circumstances families can endure when a medical issue is misconstrued as abuse.
    — Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026
  • This is your big opportunity to pay tribute, to be a uniter, not a divider, on the day recalling the horrific events of a quarter century ago.
    — Ken Frydman, New York Daily News, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of horrific
Adjective
  • To Morrison, as well as to the filmmakers, this awful backstory makes something cathartic of his accomplishment.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
  • So the fact that there was this whole section of gay actors who weren’t allowed to do that is awful.
    — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of awful
Adjective
  • The following season, Chelsea topped their Champions League group, but poor Premier League form saw Mourinho sacked in mid-December.
    — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Many are in poor shape, with thin, uninsulated walls, leaky windows, old or broken swamp coolers and electrical systems that can't always handle air conditioners.
    — Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of poor
Adjective
  • Wolfson has used animation, video, virtual reality, sculpture, and terrifying robotic figures to render technology as a form of psychological torture and slapstick comedy.
    — Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
  • For many, the clear skies and beauty of that early autumn morning served as a tragic contrast to the appalling and terrifying events that would unfold.
    — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of terrifying
Adjective
  • The result should be better performance at the chip's limits, for graphics-intensive apps and games, and for extended multitasking.
    — Brian Westover, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Researchers can use it to run complex simulations, analyze large datasets, and develop compute-intensive AI applications.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of intensive
Adjective
  • The Menendez brothers, imprisoned 37 years in the gruesome murder of their parents, are getting a second shot at freedom.
    — Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Simply to give us the gruesome scene of the kid convulsing to death while leaking blood from his eyes, nose, and mouth.
    — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of gruesome

Phrases Containing terrible

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terrestrial
terrible
terribleness
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Cite this Entry

“Terrible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrible. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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