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 Ternus seems terrific, but Cook as CEO was so special in so many ways. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 27 Sep. 2026 Willis showed his chops on terrific throws to Chris Bell and Greg Dulcich for sizable gains, and made several pinpoint passes on third down. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2026 Placekicker Ryan Fitzgerald had a terrific day, going 4-for-4 on field goals and keeping Carolina in it. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 27 Sep. 2026 Our present condition is deplorable on account of a terrific burden of unemployment caused by overproduction. — J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 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
  • Her shoes are already a favorite among industry insiders for their sleek appeal and excellent construction.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • In late September, the concept was thrust back into the public consciousness thanks to a Variety interview with actor Jack Innanen, who plays the Canadian himbo Paul Baker on the excellent sitcom Adults.
    — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of excellent
Adjective
  • Against the backdrop of a gruesome day, the Hebrew-language movie unfolds individual emotions and lives both before and during the attack, everyday problems of course not stopping with the tragedy, just interacting with it.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
  • For centuries, this scene has been believed to show Harold’s gruesome end.
    — Alicja Zelazko, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of gruesome
Adjective
  • The pom-pom sandals at Givenchy were wonderful, fun, unexpected and exactly what fashion lovers are looking for from a spring runway show.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Expect to see rare bottles pulled from the shelves and all manner of weird and wonderful concoctions offered up from the menu and from their encyclopedic knowledge of drinks.
    — Condé Nast, cntraveler.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of wonderful
Adjective
  • There’s a slickness to the carnage that rubs uncomfortably against the film’s humanist ethos, rendering artificial (for all Shen Teng’s trembling and mouth-contorting labors) the horrific tragedies that befall its characters.
    — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
  • What happened to you was horrific, and there is nothing that any of us can say today that will make this any easier.
    — Eric Mack, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of horrific
Adjective
  • Maines’ voice sounds great, and Maguire’s grand viola break after the bridge adds requisite drama.
    — Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The defender made a great play, but Manning made a bad throw.
    — Mac Engel October 10, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of great
Adjective
  • Her inciting incident is eventually bookended in equally shocking fashion.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Continue reading … -- POLITICS LIFE OR DEATH — Conservative group unveils campaign in key state to expose ‘shocking’ Dem platform.
    — , FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of shocking
Adjective
  • The answer is both, with Wildwood representing a staggering achievement from the company that has given us such superb efforts as Coraline and Kubo and the Two Strings.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Granted, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are superb smartphones, and safe choices if you're used to the status quo.
    — Florence Ion, PC Magazine, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of superb
Adjective
  • And then none of it mattered because his special teams bailed him out with a big kick return (thanks to a terrible decision by Eagles coach Nick Sirianni to even allow a kick return in the first place) followed by a walk-off field goal.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The story follows the transformation of Adriana (Colin), a woman shattered by a terrible murder and who discovers the strength to start over, driven by an unquenchable thirst for justice.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 11 Oct. 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 15 Oct. 2026.

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