Terrible | Definition of terrible by Merriam-Webster

Full Definition of TERRIBLE

1

a : exciting extreme alarm or intense fear : terrifying

b : formidable in nature : awesome <a terrible responsibility>

c : difficult <in a terrible bind>

2

: extreme, great <a terrible disappointment>

3

: extremely bad: as

a : strongly repulsive : obnoxious <a terrible smell>

b : notably unattractive or objectionable <terrible behavior>

c : of very poor quality <a terrible movie>

— ter·ri·ble·ness noun

— ter·ri·bly \-blē\ adverb

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

First Known Use: 15th century

Synonyms: alarming, dire, direful, dread, dreadful, fearsome, forbidding, formidable, frightening, frightful, ghastly, hair-raising, horrendous, horrible, horrifying, intimidating, redoubtable, scary, shocking, spine-chilling, fearful, terrifying

1

: very great in degree <a terrible fright> <a terrible mess>

2

: very bad <I got a terrible grade on the test.>

3

: causing great fear <a terrible monster>

— ter·ri·bly \-blē\ adverb

Next Word in the Dictionary: TerricolaePrevious Word in the Dictionary: terribilitaAll Words Near: terrible

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