terrible

Causing great distress

Terrible means causing terror or dread: a terrible accident, terrible news.

The word often softens to mean simply very bad or unpleasant: terrible weather, a terrible movie, I'm terrible at math.

In casual speech, terrible functions as an intensifier suggesting extremity without necessarily implying badness: a terrible shame, terrible beauty.

Someone who looks terrible appears unwell or exhausted.

quality

awful

Extremely bad quality

dreadful · horrible · horrendous · ghastly · deplorable · lamentable · wretched · lousy · abysmal · dismal

appearance

hideous

Extremely unpleasant to see

repulsive · ghastly · horrific · unsightly · monstrous · grisly · revolting · disfigured · nightmarish · freakish

fear

frightening

Inspiring terror or alarm

horrifying · chilling · nightmarish · bloodcurdling · harrowing · spine-tingling · petrifying · alarming · menacing · ominous

moral

heinous

Odiously, shockingly evil

  • vileExtremely unpleasant or bad
  • wickedEvil or slang-excellent
  • evilProfound moral wickedness

monstrous · nefarious · despicable · odious · reprehensible · loathsome · contemptible · abhorrent · unconscionable · villainous

disaster

catastrophic

Causing complete destruction

cataclysmic · destructive · disastrous · tragic · fatal · lethal · deadly · ravaging · annihilating · crushing

formidable

fearsome

Causing intense alarm

daunting · awesome · overwhelming · commanding · formidable · fierce · ferocious · tremendous · intense · savage

Categories
Opposites
quality/merit

terriblewonderful

Extremely good, inspiring delight

excellent · fantastic · great · superb · brilliant

intensity/severity

terribleminor

Scale with lowered third

slight · negligible · trivial · mild · moderate

emotional effect

terribledelightful

Highly pleasing, wonderful

pleasant · lovely · wonderful · comforting · pleasing

Phrases
Family

terribly, terribleness

Familiarity
Top 500
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G