terrifyingly bad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "terrifyingly bad" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is extremely poor or disappointing in a way that evokes fear or strong negative emotions. Example: "The movie was so terrifyingly bad that I couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

As they have tied a yellow ribbon around their inglorious Meadowlands residency, the Nets have been terrifyingly bad.

The New York Times - Sports

Mum Nicky eventually forgave the driver, who had either aquaplaned or been terrifyingly bad at the wheel, now on community service, pah.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Many years later Sellers recalled, "Spike, Harry, myself, Alfred Marks, Bill Kerr and Paddie O'Neil once made a film for £100 each in Brighton Studios... it really was a terrifyingly bad film!" A recent restoration of the film has shown Sellers' judgement to be harsh, though it is not a distinguished work.

Independent

But two years later, it looks like the TSA is still terrifyingly bad at its job.

Vice

I'm not including videos by the band the Mummy's because they don't really dance and I will spare you the terrifyingly bad funk explosion of Here Come the Mummies.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Really terrifyingly, horrifically bad.

Vice

"Like, terrifyingly big".

Vice

That's bad, because he's terrifyingly close to winning the Republican nomination, which is a very serious state of affairs.

The Guardian - Opinion

The new Lord Commander held firm for now, although it should be noted that Stannis and Davos are a terrifyingly good tag team who have the bad cop/good cop routine down pat.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

While some young adult novels are content to read the way bad sci-fi movies look, both these books transcend their prem­ises with terrifyingly well-imagined futures and superb characterization.

The New York Times - Books

Terrifyingly different.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "terrifyingly bad", ensure the context justifies the strong emotion. It's most effective when describing situations where the badness is genuinely alarming or unsettling.

Common error

Avoid using "terrifyingly bad" to describe minor inconveniences or mildly negative experiences. Its intensity is best reserved for situations that evoke genuine fear or strong aversion, not mere disappointment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terrifyingly bad" functions as an intensifier combined with an evaluative adjective. "Terrifyingly" amplifies the negative quality of "bad", indicating an extreme degree of poorness or unacceptability. Ludwig shows this usage in various contexts, emphasizing the severity of the described condition.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "terrifyingly bad" is used to describe something that is extremely and alarmingly poor in quality. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and acceptable in written English, though it is relatively rare. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, the phrase serves to express strong disapproval. When using "terrifyingly bad", ensure the context warrants the strong emotion it conveys, reserving it for genuinely alarming or unsettling situations rather than minor disappointments. More neutral alternatives, such as "exceptionally poor", might be preferred in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

horrifically awful

Emphasizes the extreme degree of awfulness, adding a layer of horror.

appallingly dreadful

Highlights the shocking and dreadful nature of something.

frighteningly poor

Focuses on the fear-inducing aspect of something being of low quality.

shockingly substandard

Emphasizes the unexpected and unacceptable low quality.

abysmally inferior

Stresses the vast difference in quality, placing it at the lowest level.

atrociously inadequate

Highlights the severe inadequacy and poor execution.

dreadfully deficient

Emphasizes the severe lack of essential qualities.

exceptionally awful

Highlights the degree of awfulness, suggesting it stands out.

remarkably terrible

Emphasizes how unusually terrible something is.

awfully substandard

Highlights the low quality with a sense of something substandard.

FAQs

What does "terrifyingly bad" mean?

The phrase "terrifyingly bad" describes something extremely poor or disappointing in a way that evokes fear, strong negative emotions, or alarm due to its severity.

How can I use "terrifyingly bad" in a sentence?

You can use "terrifyingly bad" to emphasize the exceptionally poor quality of something. For example, "The movie was "terrifyingly bad", with a nonsensical plot and terrible acting."

What are some alternatives to "terrifyingly bad"?

Alternatives to "terrifyingly bad" include "horrifically awful", "appallingly dreadful", or "frighteningly poor", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "terrifyingly bad" an appropriate phrase for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "terrifyingly bad" is more suited for informal or creative writing. In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "exceptionally poor" or "remarkably substandard" to maintain a professional tone.