terrible
7 synonyms and 1 antonyms for terrible, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Very bad or unpleasant.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use terrible
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French terrible, from Latin terribilis, "frightful," from terrere, "to frighten."
Full origin of terrible →Frequently asked questions
What does “terrible” mean?
The word “terrible” means very bad or unpleasant. In plain terms, extremely bad, unpleasant, or (in older use) frightening.
How do you pronounce “terrible”?
“Terrible” is pronounced TEH-ruh-buhl (/ˈtɛɹəbəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “terrible” in a sentence?
Here is “terrible” used in a sentence: “We had a terrible time trying to find parking.”
What is the opposite of “terrible”?
The opposite of “terrible” — its antonyms — is excellent.
What part of speech is “terrible”?
“Terrible” is an adjective.
Where does the word “terrible” come from?
The word “terrible” comes from Latin. From Old French terrible, from Latin terribilis, "frightful," from terrere, "to frighten.".
Is “terrible” a common word?
“Terrible” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “terrible” have?
“Terrible” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: very bad or unpleasant.
What is the difference between terrible and terrific?
Both words come from the same root as "terror," but their meanings have split. Terrible means very bad or unpleasant, while terrific has drifted to mean excellent or wonderful. So a terrible film is one you regret watching, but a terrific film is one you loved, near opposites despite the shared origin.
What is the difference between terrible and horrible?
The two are close and often interchangeable, both meaning very bad. Horrible leans slightly toward causing disgust, shock, or horror, while terrible is a broader, more general term for anything of poor quality or deeply unpleasant. A meal can be terrible simply by being bad; horrible suggests it was almost sickening.
What is the opposite of terrible?
The opposite of terrible is a word meaning very good, such as wonderful, excellent, great, or fantastic. In casual speech people also swing to "terrific," even though it shares terrible's root. Choosing the right opposite depends on context: "wonderful" for quality, "pleasant" when terrible describes an unpleasant experience.
Is terrible a strong word?
Yes. Terrible is an emphatic, strongly negative word, stronger than "bad" and roughly on a level with "awful" or "dreadful." It carries real weight, so it suits serious complaints and genuine displeasure. In very casual speech it can be softened for exaggeration, as in "a terrible habit," but it remains firmly negative.