terrible
adjective
ter·ri·ble
ˈter-ə-bəl 
ˈte-rə-
1
: extremely bad: such as
a
: notably unattractive or objectionable
terrible behavior
b
: of very poor quality
a terrible movie
c
: strongly repulsive : obnoxious
a terrible smell
2
a
: difficult
in a terrible bind
b
: formidable in nature : awesome
a terrible responsibility
c
: exciting extreme alarm or intense fear : terrifying
terribleness
noun
Examples of terrible in a Sentence
Traffic was held up by a terrible accident.
I have a terrible cold.
The service at that restaurant is terrible.
Recent Examples on the Web
Such legislation is meant to destabilize Pakistan’s internal politics, which is in no one’s interests, except those who promoted such a terrible idea in the first place.
—
Christopher Shays, New York Daily News, 10 May 2025
Transgender kids, especially under the current president, are facing terrible rights losses and bigotry.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2025
There was one night in the hospital when my mom was feeling terrible and so scared.
—Katerina Finck, People.com, 9 May 2025
As with the tariffs, this terrible conflict has slipped into the world of culture with the Indian government ordering all streamers and OTT services operating in the country to pull Pakistani content, citing national security concerns.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrible
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Christopher Shays, New York Daily News, 10 May 2025
Transgender kids, especially under the current president, are facing terrible rights losses and bigotry.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2025
There was one night in the hospital when my mom was feeling terrible and so scared.
—Katerina Finck, People.com, 9 May 2025
As with the tariffs, this terrible conflict has slipped into the world of culture with the Indian government ordering all streamers and OTT services operating in the country to pull Pakistani content, citing national security concerns.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrible
Cite this Entry
“Terrible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrible. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
terrible
adjective
ter·ri·ble
ˈter-ə-bəl
2
a
: very great in degree
made a terrible mess
a terrible cold
b
: very bad in quality
terrible music
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