definitely terrible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "definitely terrible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a strong negative opinion about something, indicating that it is unquestionably bad. Example: "The movie was definitely terrible; I couldn't wait for it to end."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"But it's definitely terrible".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

That is definitely a terrible set of facts on the ground that we try to deal with every single day.

The New York Times

I was definitely a terrible mother.

Huffington Post

Not content with merely reliving my father's death for this piece, I came up with the definitely-not-terrible idea of asking my ex-girlfriend Megan to reveal the specific problems that arose during my tenure as her shitty boyfriend.

Vice

And the voters are definitely in a terrible mood.

The New York Times

And if it isn't brilliant, it will almost definitely be watchably terrible; if hate-watching wasn't such a depressing notion, this looks like it would be perfectly ripe for it.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Parents who might, or definitely, qualify as terrible.

Huffington Post

The worst was the most comical to me and it definitely wasn't terrible!

Huffington Post

Alice-Azania Jarvis of The Independent found the documentary "very well put-together, very thoroughly researched, and very compelling" and she said that the inclusion of Lohan was "definitely not a terrible choice.

Wikipedia

It is most definitely a game, a terrible, tragic game that House Republicans are playing in the People's House.

The New York Times

The idea that we were involved in a movement, especially one with such a terrible name, definitely wouldn't have appealed to us.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "definitely terrible" to emphasize a strong negative opinion when you want to leave no room for doubt about how bad something is. It conveys a stronger sense of negativity than simply saying "bad" or "poor".

Common error

Avoid using "definitely terrible" in highly formal or professional writing, as it can sound too informal or emotionally charged. Opt for more neutral and objective language to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "definitely terrible" functions as an intensifier modifying an adjective. The adverb 'definitely' strengthens the negative connotation of 'terrible'. Ludwig AI provides examples that demonstrates its usage for expressing a strong negative sentiment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "definitely terrible" is a grammatically correct and common way to express a strong negative opinion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English to emphasize that something is unquestionably bad. While it's most frequently found in news and media, it's important to consider context and potentially opt for more formal alternatives like "absolutely awful" in professional settings. Using "definitely terrible" highlights a situation or object that is, without a doubt, of very poor quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undeniably terrible

Similar in structure, but places more emphasis on the undeniable aspect.

certainly dreadful

Similar in structure, but uses 'dreadful' to describe the negative experience

absolutely awful

Emphasizes the extremely negative quality; stronger emotional impact.

plainly awful

Uses 'plainly' to describe that something is clearly awful

utterly dreadful

Highlights the extremely unpleasant or unacceptable nature of something.

completely horrendous

Focuses on the shocking or appalling aspect of something.

assuredly terrible

Uses 'assuredly' to express that it is guaranteed to be terrible

unquestionably bad

Stresses the lack of doubt about the poor quality.

indisputably awful

Highlights that the negative quality cannot be argued against.

positively atrocious

Uses 'atrocious' to emphasize the shocking or wicked nature of something.

FAQs

What does "definitely terrible" mean?

It means something is unquestionably bad. It's a stronger way of saying "very bad" or "awful."

How can I use "definitely terrible" in a sentence?

You might say, "The food at that restaurant was "definitely terrible"; I wouldn't recommend it."

Are there more formal alternatives to "definitely terrible"?

Yes, consider using phrases like "absolutely awful" or "unquestionably bad" in professional contexts for a more objective tone.

What's the difference between "absolutely terrible" and ""definitely terrible""?

Both phrases convey a strong negative sentiment, but "absolutely terrible" may imply a slightly higher degree of intensity than "definitely terrible".