terrible

USAGE SUMMARY

'terrible' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe something that you find unpleasant or considered to be of very poor quality. For example: "The taste of the meal was terrible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But during the Games I got the terrible news that my uncle had died, probably from Ebola.

The Guardian

"That's terrible".

The New York Times - Sports

"It's a terrible situation.

The New York Times

And it was terrible.

The Guardian - Film

That is why I have sought, until now, to fight my imprisonment quietly from within, to make the authorities understand that this is all a terrible mistake, that I've been caught in the middle of a political struggle that is not my own.

The Guardian

But if Kutcher and Bieber think that they can just swan in and become the most offensively terrible double act of all time, they've got another thing coming.

The Guardian - Film

It's not terrible: Bibb has a lot of fun as Rogers, cursing, burping and generally offending anyone she comes into contact with, and Dratch is a safe pair of hands as her beleaguered pal.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"I put in the Inherent Vice screener, and it became apparent that it's a terrible, incoherent movie, so I turned it off.

The Guardian - Film

Inspired by these old, dark tales I piled on the heartache, not an easy sell for a children's story (the heroine, a little girl, is eventually imprisoned and comes to a terrible end).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Police and the boys' families have always feared something terrible happened to them, especially as Patrick's new bike, his Christmas present, was found abandoned outside the shop where they were last seen.

The Guardian

"I had the most terrible battles with him and the head of the civil service.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overusing "terrible" in close proximity within your writing. Variety in word choice enhances clarity and prevents monotony.

Common error

Don't use "terrible" for situations that warrant milder descriptions. Reserve it for truly awful or dreadful scenarios to maintain impact. Using weaker expressions like "not good" or "unpleasant" is often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "terrible" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something of very poor quality or causing alarm and fear. As supported by Ludwig AI, it's a common descriptor for conveying negativity. Examples like, "The food was terrible", and "Whatever he thinks, he is a terrible driver" illustrate its use in describing both tangible and intangible things.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Terrible" is a common adjective used to express strong disapproval, fear, or negativity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's crucial to consider the context and intended impact. Stronger vocabulary may be necessary for formal writing or specific nuances. Alternatives like "awful", "dreadful", and "horrendous" can add variety, while overuse should be avoided for stylistic reasons. Knowing when to use "terrible" ensures your writing conveys the correct intensity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

awful

Synonym for "terrible", indicating something unpleasant or of poor quality.

dreadful

Similar to "terrible", implying something extremely bad or unpleasant.

horrendous

Indicates something extremely unpleasant or shocking, like "terrible".

horrific

Expressing something causing horror; similar to "terrible" in impact.

appalling

Similar to "terrible", describing something shocking and deeply unpleasant.

atrocious

Describing something shockingly bad or of very poor quality, mirroring "terrible".

abysmal

Meaning extremely bad, comparable to "terrible" in expressing poor quality.

lousy

Informal synonym for "terrible", meaning very poor or bad.

very bad

A simple and direct synonym for "terrible", indicating poor quality or negativity.

unpleasant

A milder alternative to "terrible", indicating something not enjoyable.

FAQs

How can I use "terrible" in a sentence?

"Terrible" is an adjective, so you can use it to describe a noun. For example, "The weather was terrible" or "He is a terrible driver".

What can I say instead of "terrible"?

You can use alternatives like "awful", "dreadful", or "horrendous" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "terrible" and "awful"?

"Terrible" and "awful" are often interchangeable, but "terrible" can sometimes imply a greater sense of fear or dread, while "awful" focuses more on unpleasantness.

Is it appropriate to use "terrible" in formal writing?

While "terrible" is widely understood, consider stronger or more precise vocabulary in formal writing. For example, "atrocious" or "appalling" might be more impactful.