terrific

adjective

ter·​rif·​ic tə-ˈri-fik How to pronounce terrific (audio)
Synonyms of terrificnext
1
: unusually fine : magnificent
terrific weather
2
: extraordinary
terrific speed
3
a
: exciting or fit to excite fear or awe
a terrific thunderstorm
b
: very bad : frightful
terrifically
tə-ˈri-fi-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce terrific (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of terrific

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Examples of terrific in a Sentence

She's given me some terrific ideas. Your test scores were terrific. They did a terrific job painting the house. I had a terrific time. I've recovered completely. In fact, I feel terrific. We were hit by a terrific snowstorm last week.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Neon’s Cannes Palme d’Or-winning drama Fjord starring Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve had a terrific $124k opening on four screens in New York and Los Angeles, as documentary Naza marks a strong week two expansion. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2026 The movie looks terrific, with DP Jeff Cronenweth returning to provide visual consistency with The Social Network and Alexandre Desplat’s elegant score feeding the tension without working too hard at it. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026 Orlean consistently demonstrates that terrific nonfiction writing can be as absorbing as fiction. — The Know, Denver Post, 6 Oct. 2026 This puzzle is stuffed with nuance, pleasing crosses and a lot of simply terrific, ridiculously evocative stuff — for example, a jarring assortment of lovely trivia intersecting with some hideous ailments at more than one juncture. — Caitlin Lovinger, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for terrific

Word History

Etymology

Latin terrificus, from terrēre to frighten

First Known Use

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 3b

Time Traveler
The first known use of terrific was in 1667

Rhymes for terrific

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Browse Nearby Words

terrier
terrific
terrifically
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Cite this Entry

“Terrific.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrific. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

terrific

adjective
ter·​rif·​ic tə-ˈrif-ik How to pronounce terrific (audio)
1
: causing terror : terrible
terrific destruction
2
: very great in degree : extraordinary
a car going at terrific speed
3
: unusually good
makes terrific chili
terrifically
-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce terrific (audio)
adverb
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