less terrific

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less terrific" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not as good or impressive as something else. Example: "The sequel was less terrific than the original movie, failing to capture the same magic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The bulk of the cooking, though, is Lebanese, ranging from terrific dips to less terrific kebabs.

The New York Times - Food

If people say 'Oh God those people are crazy' it's less terrific, but I can live with that".

The Guardian

After the handshake, however, the chorus froze for a brief moment of operatic reflection, and that was less terrific.

The New York Times - Arts

They tended to know the industry better than anyone else at the firm, and are very valuable in identifying terrific companies and avoiding the less terrific ones.

The New York Times

The bar is the place to hang out at Aureole, but there is also a barroom — which is basically the bar, with tables, chairs, and less terrific service — and, toward the back, a proper dining room.

The New Yorker

The restaurant's salad of pork cheek and dandelion may be a direct crib from St . John but that didn't make it any less terrific, the bitter greens offsetting the richness of the meat.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

This is a man who's never been anything less than terrific, in – by and large - less than terrific movies.

The Guardian - Film

"Anything less than terrific is just not acceptable to him.

The New York Times

Both pitchers have been no less than terrific.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm always surprised when a house specialty is less than terrific, and that's the case with the night's prime rib -- gray and tasteless, as if that salt crust sucked the life out of it.

The New York Times - Travel

It means we are still using our brains, "That we are not checkmated," as Michelle Alexander puts it, that engaging in discourse is not just possible, but necessary in a race with less than terrific choices.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less terrific" to subtly express a negative assessment without being overly critical. This phrasing is useful in professional contexts where tact is important.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "less terrific" in casual conversation can sound stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "not so great" or "not as good" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less terrific" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun by indicating a diminished quality or degree of excellence. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

11%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less terrific" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as an adjective phrase to describe something that isn't as good as expected, providing a more nuanced way to express disappointment. While Ludwig AI has confirmed the correctness of the phrase, it’s more suited to neutral or slightly formal contexts, such as news articles or professional communication, rather than casual conversation. Consider alternatives like "not as great" or "somewhat disappointing" depending on the situation. The primary contexts where you'll find this phrase are News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as wonderful

Emphasizes a reduction in the degree of wonder or amazement.

not so great

A more casual and common way of expressing something isn't excellent.

somewhat disappointing

Highlights the feeling of unmet expectations.

not as impressive

Focuses on the lack of a strong positive impact or effect.

not quite as good

Indicates a slight deficiency in quality or performance.

slightly inferior

Directly states a lower quality compared to something else.

a bit underwhelming

Suggests a mild lack of excitement or satisfaction.

not particularly remarkable

Emphasizes the absence of noteworthy or special qualities.

not exceptionally good

Highlights the absence of exceptional quality.

subpar

A concise term indicating performance below the expected standard.

FAQs

How can I use "less terrific" in a sentence?

You can use "less terrific" to describe something that isn't as good as expected. For example, "The sequel was "less terrific" than the original movie".

What phrases are similar to "less terrific"?

Alternatives include "not as great", "not so good", or "somewhat disappointing", which offer similar meanings with varying degrees of formality.

Is "less terrific" formal or informal?

"Less terrific" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It's suitable for professional writing but might sound unusual in very casual conversations.

What's the difference between "less terrific" and "terrible"?

"Less terrific" implies something is merely not as good as expected, while "terrible" indicates something is extremely bad. "Less terrific" is a milder criticism than "terrible".