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Terrible

/ˈtɛr.ə.bəl/adjective
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Terrible describes something that inspires fear, awe, or extreme distress, often evoking a sense of overwhelming negativity. In modern usage, it's frequently dialed up for emphasis to mean simply awful or disappointing, turning it into a go-to word for hyperbolic complaints in everyday chatter.

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In the 18th century, 'terrible' was occasionally used in a positive or ironic sense in British English, like 'terribly clever' to mean exceptionally smart, reflecting how words can twist meanings based on context—though this usage has mostly vanished today, leaving us with its predominantly negative vibe.

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