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
Kids these days have attention spans crushed under the terrible weight of TikTok and Instgram.
—
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
My heart goes out to the victims of this terrible tragedy, and the Great People of Boulder, Colorado!
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 2 June 2025
The veto was a terrible blow to the cause of reparations, which has been gaining momentum across the country despite the Trump administration, which seems hell-bent on sending America backwards.
—Robert Turner, Baltimore Sun, 2 June 2025
Heavy truck traffic has also contributed to terrible pollution in California’s Central Valley.
—Francine Kiefer, Christian Science Monitor, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrible
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Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
My heart goes out to the victims of this terrible tragedy, and the Great People of Boulder, Colorado!
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 2 June 2025
The veto was a terrible blow to the cause of reparations, which has been gaining momentum across the country despite the Trump administration, which seems hell-bent on sending America backwards.
—Robert Turner, Baltimore Sun, 2 June 2025
Heavy truck traffic has also contributed to terrible pollution in California’s Central Valley.
—Francine Kiefer, Christian Science Monitor, 2 June 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 8 Jun. 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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