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Definition of terribleness

terribleness

/ˈtɛr.ə.bəl.nəs/
ter · ri · ble · ness
Adverb:terribly
•
Adjective:terrible
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terribleness Lexical Profile

terribleness Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The quality or state of being extremely bad, unpleasant, severe, or dreadful.

Example

"The sheer terribleness of the winter storm caught the entire coastal community unprepared."

2

The quality of inspiring intense fear, terror, or awe; formidableness.

Example

"Ancient chroniclers wrote at length about the terribleness of the invading army."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for terribleness
Antonyms
View all antonyms for terribleness

• Rhymes for terribleness

• Nearby Words

terrestrial
terrestrially
terrible
terribleness
terribly
terrier
terrific

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed within English by attaching the Old English abstract noun suffix -ness to the adjective terrible, which entered Middle English via Old French from Latin terribilis, meaning 'frightful', from terrere ('to frighten').

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Terribleness. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/terribleness
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