causing fear or dread or terror; "the awful war"; "an awful risk"; "dire news"; "a career or vengeance so direful that London was shocked"; "the dread presence of the headmaster"; "polio is no longer the dreaded disease it once was"; "a dreadful storm"; "a fearful howling"; "horrendous explosions shook the city"; "a terrible curse"
Used in a Sentence
terrible
How to use terrible in a sentence. Example sentences and definitions for terrible.
Editorial note
On a personal note, these are terrible things.
Examples7
Definitions4
Parts of speech1
Quick take
causing fear or dread or terror; "the awful war"; "an awful risk"; "dire news"; "a career or vengeance so direful that London was shocked"; "the dread presence of the headmaster"; "polio is no longer the dreaded disease it once was"; "a dreadful storm"; "a fearful howling"; "horrendous explosions shook the city"; "a terrible curse"
Meaning at a glance
The clearest senses and uses of terrible gathered in one view.
exceptionally bad or displeasing; "atrocious taste"; "abominable workmanship"; "an awful voice"; "dreadful manners"; "a painful performance"; "terrible handwriting"; "an unspeakable odor came sweeping into the room"
intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality; "severe pain"; "a severe case of flu"; "a terrible cough"; "under wicked fire from the enemy's guns"; "a wicked cough"
Definitions
Core meanings and parts of speech for terrible.
adjective
causing fear or dread or terror; "the awful war"; "an awful risk"; "dire news"; "a career or vengeance so direful that London was shocked"; "the dread presence of the headmaster"; "polio is no longer the dreaded disease it once was"; "a dreadful storm"; "a fearful howling"; "horrendous explosions shook the city"; "a terrible curse"
adjective
exceptionally bad or displeasing; "atrocious taste"; "abominable workmanship"; "an awful voice"; "dreadful manners"; "a painful performance"; "terrible handwriting"; "an unspeakable odor came sweeping into the room"
See also: atrocious, abominable, awful, dreadful, painful, unspeakable
adjective
intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality; "severe pain"; "a severe case of flu"; "a terrible cough"; "under wicked fire from the enemy's guns"; "a wicked cough"
adjective
extreme in degree or extent or amount or impact; "in a frightful hurry"; "spent a frightful amount of money"
See also: frightful, awful, tremendous
Example sentences
On a personal note, these are terrible things.
And you go, well that is a horrible circumstance, that is terrible that all these wars start with lies.
I do see how some puritanical folks could be upset, because you know, sex is terrible.
Do they decide to be terrible by sitting around in meetings brainstorming ways to screw their customers?
Yes, addiction is a terrible tragedy and sometimes danger for the rest of us -- but it's a personal disaster a long time before it affects any of us.
How many were entirely unaware of the US government's terrible record of following international law?
I hate... plussing, or whatever it's called when you do a massive rant in Google+ even though it's a terrible venue for it but you do it anyway because in the end you really do want Google to be successful.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers drawn from the clearest meanings and examples for this word.
How do you use terrible in a sentence?
On a personal note, these are terrible things.
What does terrible mean?
causing fear or dread or terror; "the awful war"; "an awful risk"; "dire news"; "a career or vengeance so direful that London was shocked"; "the dread presence of the headmaster"; "polio is no longer the dreaded disease it once was"; "a dreadful storm"; "a fearful howling"; "horrendous explosions shook the city"; "a terrible curse"
What part of speech is terrible?
terrible is commonly used as adjective.