View synonyms for terrible

terrible

[ ter-uh-buhl ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

distressing; severe:
a terrible winter.
extremely bad; horrible:
terrible coffee;
a terrible movie.
exciting terror, awe, or great fear; dreadful; awful.
Synonyms: horrid, horrendous, horrible, dire, appalling, frightful, fearful
formidably great:
a terrible responsibility.

terrible

/ ˈtɛrəbəl /

very serious or extreme
a terrible cough
informal.
of poor quality; unpleasant or bad
a terrible play
a terrible meal
causing terror
causing awe
the terrible nature of God

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin terribilis, equivalent to terr(ēre) “to frighten” + -ibilis -ible

C15: from Latin terribilis, from terrēre to terrify

He returned home to learn that his 9-year-old son had been awakened in the night by a terrible dream.

The birds are debeaked, suffer ulcers, and terrible feet conditions.

Amelia says some truly terrible things to Sam, supposedly inhabited by the Babadook but really consumed in grief.

Most frustratingly for the school chancellor, this made it all but impossible to fire terrible teachers.

I knew because I rifled through his mail that terrible October morning.

Judge or sheriff, it was all one to them, each being equally terrible in their eyes.

Terror drives you on; fate coerces you; you can't help yourself, and my delight is to make the plunge terrible.

The king was struck with horror at the description I had given him of those terrible engines, and the proposal I had made.

The history of that terrible hour is brightened by many such instances of native fealty.

He stood listening to what I was saying, and I recall that when I turned slightly and saw his face, it was terrible!

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