terrific

adjective

tə-ˈri-fik How to pronounce terrific (audio)
Definition of terrificnext
1
as in excellent
of the very best kind you've done a terrific job on this report

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gruesome
extremely disturbing or repellent a terrific murder that sickened even hard-bitten police officers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 terrific Freshman Deon’Dre Smith is having a terrific season for Bellflower at receiver. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026 The Yoga Mini didn't look terrific in our productivity and content-creation tests. — Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026 Mainly notable for its high-octane car chases and terrific stunt work, the film should, like most of Neeson’s recent efforts, find its biggest audiences on streaming and cable. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2026 Still, Philly is a tough place to play and this terrific Eagles defense can just about win a game by itself. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for terrific
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrific
  1. excellent
  2. gruesome
  3. wonderful
  4. horrific
  5. great
  6. shocking
  7. superb
  8. terrible
Adjective
  • Bold from brown butter and balsamic vinegar and bright from lemon, the crunchy topping is an excellent foil to the sweetness of roasted squash.
    — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Their bench even has some guys providing excellent backup options.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of excellent
Adjective
  • Less than four minutes into the game, Apple Valley senior fullback Joseph Lopez suffered a gruesome leg injury and the game was delayed about 30 minutes for the medical response and on-field treatment.
    — Dan Arritt, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2026
  • In his Address at Gettysburg, President Lincoln transformed a gruesome battle into the raison d’être of a truly United States that for the first time in its history became a union.
    — Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of gruesome
Adjective
  • Server was wonderful and attentive and the manager came around to check on things.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Nov. 2026
  • There’s a wonderful connection between this film and the festival.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of wonderful
Adjective
  • Teen details horrific ordeal Duarte met the 15-year-old when the girl was taking a stroll with her dog near a pool at the hotel, according to Duarte’s arrest report.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Short says despite Thursday night's horrific crime, RTD has done a lot to ensure the safety of their operators and passengers.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of horrific
Adjective
  • The 39-year-old Crosby broke his tie with Kings great Marcel Dionne by scoring his 1,772nd point when Evgeni Malkin's one-timer deflected in off him in the second period.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The 39-year-old Crosby broke his tie with Kings great Marcel Dionne by scoring his 1,772nd point when Evgeni Malkin’s one-timer deflected in off him in the second period.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of great
Adjective
  • And, like every other soap opera, this one appears to involve at least a dose of deception leading up to Huang’s shocking exit on Thursday.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 12 Nov. 2026
  • The differences with our own age are great, but the similarities are shocking.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of shocking
Adjective
  • Those hiding from family this Thanksgiving can take solace in a cornucopia of superb TV offerings.
    — David Faris, TheWeek, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Throughout, there’s a lingering sadness, which is properly explored in a superb episode made up of a trifecta of flashbacks, and his dour constitution still pairs perfectly with Helen’s reassuring nature.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of superb
Adjective
  • The bat lay on its back, soggy and wretched, here in the waning hours of this terrible day.
    — Téa Obreht, New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2026
  • An ugly fight between teammates during training camp was a terrible start to a season that officially began with a loss against North Carolina, a game in Dublin that TCU essentially sold, against the desires of Dykes.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of terrible

Browse Nearby Words

terribly
terrific
terrifically
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Cite this Entry

“Terrific.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrific. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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