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terrific
adjective
ter·rif·ic
tə-ˈri-fik
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
Synonyms
- A-OK
- A1
- awesome
- bang-up
- banner
- beautiful
- blue-chip
- blue-ribbon
- boffo
- bonny [chiefly British]
- bonnie
- boss [slang]
- brag
- brave
- bully
- bumper
- capital
- choice
- classic
- cool [slang]
- corking
- crackerjack
- cracking
- dandy
- divine
- dope [slang]
- down [slang]
- dynamite
- excellent
- fab
- fabulous
- famous
- fantabulous [slang]
- fantastic
- fine
- first-class
- first-rate
- first-string
- five-star
- four-star
- frontline
- gangbusters
- gangbuster
- gilt-edged
- gilt-edge
- gone [slang]
- grand
- great
- groovy
- heavenly
- high-class
- hot
- hype [slang]
- immense
- jim-dandy
- keen
- lovely
- marvelous
- marvellous
- mean
- neat
- nifty
- noble
- number one
- No. 1
- numero uno
- out-of-sight [slang]
- par excellence
- peachy
- peachy keen
- phat [slang]
- prime
- primo [slang]
- prize
- prizewinning
- quality
- radical [slang]
- righteous [slang]
- sensational
- slick
- splendid
- stellar
- sterling
- superb
- superior
- superlative
- supernal
- swell
- tip-top
- top
- top-notch
- top-of-the-line
- top-shelf
- topflight
- topping [chiefly British]
- unsurpassed
- wizard [chiefly British]
- wonderful
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
In addition to strong, Oscar-worthy performances from the two leads, terrific actors populate the rest of the film, including Bowen Yang as Galinda’s bestie Pfannee, Jonathan Bailey as the impish prince Fiyero and the inimitable Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard of Oz.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 19 Nov. 2024
All of the sequences showing Juliette doing her best Indiana Jones impression — improvising and exploring — are truly terrific.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 15 Nov. 2024
Draymond Green, who has been terrific this season defensively, constantly mucked up the paint with rotations.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
Last year, when healthy, the seven-time All-Star looked like his typically terrific two-way self.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for terrific
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Word History
Etymology
Latin terrificus, from terrēre to frighten
First Known Use
1667, in the meaning defined at sense 3b
Dictionary Entries Near terrific
Cite this Entry
“Terrific.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrific. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
terrific
adjective
ter·rif·ic
tə-ˈrif-ik
1
: causing terror : terrible
terrific destruction
2
: very great in degree : extraordinary
a car going at terrific speed
3
: unusually good
makes terrific chili
More from Merriam-Webster on terrific
Nglish: Translation of terrific for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of terrific for Arabic Speakers
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