Terrific | Definition of terrific by Merriam-Webster

Full Definition of TERRIFIC

1

a : very bad : frightful

b : exciting or fit to excite fear or awe <a terrific thunderstorm>

2

: extraordinary <terrific speed>

3

: unusually fine : magnificent <terrific weather>

— ter·rif·i·cal·ly \-fi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

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Latin terrificus, from terrēre to frighten

First Known Use: 1667

Synonyms: A-OK, A1, awesome, bang-up, banner, beautiful, blue-chip, blue-ribbon, boffo, bonny (also bonnie) [chiefly British], boss [slang], brag, brave, bully, bumper, capital, choice, classic, cool [slang], corking, crackerjack, cracking, dandy, divine, dope [slang], down [slang], dynamite, fab, fabulous, famous, fantabulous [slang], fantastic, fine, first-class, first-rate, first-string, five-star, four-star, frontline, gangbusters (also gangbuster), gilt-edged (or gilt-edge), gone [slang], grand, great, groovy, heavenly, high-class, hot, hype [slang], immense, jim-dandy, keen, lovely, marvelous (or marvellous), mean, neat, nifty, noble, number one (also No. 1), numero uno, out-of-sight [slang], par excellence, peachy, peachy keen, phat [slang], prime, primo [slang], prize, prizewinning, quality, radical [slang], righteous [slang], sensational, slick, splendid, stellar, sterling, superb, superior, superlative, supernal, swell, excellent, tip-top, top, top-flight, top-notch, top-of-the-line, topping [chiefly British], top-shelf, unsurpassed, wizard [chiefly British], wonderful

Antonyms: atrocious, awful, execrable, lousy, pathetic, poor, rotten, terrible, vile, wretched

1

: excellent <That's a terrific idea.>

2

: very unusual : extraordinary <The car was going at terrific speed.>

3

: causing terror : terrible <The storm caused terrific damage.>

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