terrible

1 of 2

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

3

: extreme, great

a terrible disappointment

terribleness noun

terribleness

2 of 2

noun

ter·​ri·​ble·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being terrible

Synonyms of terrible

Adjective

• horrible
• terrifying
• formidable
• frightening
• scary

Examples of terrible in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

Turning paying ticket buyers into political punching bags and telling colleagues to shut up is terrible business and toxic for basketball. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Sean Young, who played my wife, had a terrible relationship with Charlie and pretty much everyone else besides me. — Michael Douglas, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026

Each is, in her own way, a minimalist, and both have pursued forms of writing that constrain a terrible excess of feeling—that give shape and weight to the maelstrom of passion. — Merve Emre, New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2026

Not only are those objectively terrible ideas, but chains of title put guardrails on what studios can do with many iconic characters. — Brent Lang, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin terribilis, from terrēre to frighten — more at terror

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2c

Phrases Containing terrible

• enfant terrible

Rhymes for terrible

• arable
• bearable
• parable
• wearable
• repairable
• unbearable

Kids Definition

terrible

adjective

ter·​ri·​ble ˈter-ə-bəl 

1

: causing terror or awe : fearful, dreadful

a terrible disaster

2

a

: very great in degree

made a terrible mess

a terrible cold

b

: very bad in quality

terrible music

terribly

-blē 

adverb