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TERRIFIC
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Causing extreme terror
Example:
a terrifying wail
Synonyms:
terrific; terrifying
Classified under:
Similar:
alarming (frightening because of an awareness of danger)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Very great or intense
Example:
fought a terrific battle
Classified under:
Similar:
intense (possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
Example:
a tremendous achievement
Synonyms:
fantastic; grand; howling; marvellous; marvelous; rattling; terrific; tremendous; wonderful; wondrous
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
extraordinary (beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable)
Context examples:
What a terrific month!
(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)
They all exclaimed against such terrific ideas; and Mr. Gardiner, after general assurances of his affection for her and all her family, told her that he meant to be in London the very next day, and would assist Mr. Bennet in every endeavour for recovering Lydia.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
He honoured the warm-hearted, blunt fondness of the young sailor, which led him to say, with his hands stretched towards Fanny's head, Do you know, I begin to like that queer fashion already, though when I first heard of such things being done in England, I could not believe it; and when Mrs. Brown, and the other women at the Commissioner's at Gibraltar, appeared in the same trim, I thought they were mad; but Fanny can reconcile me to anything; and saw, with lively admiration, the glow of Fanny's cheek, the brightness of her eye, the deep interest, the absorbed attention, while her brother was describing any of the imminent hazards, or terrific scenes, which such a period at sea must supply.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
So terrific was the uproar that several ladies had already beaten a hurried retreat.
(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
As we struggled on, nearer and nearer to the sea, from which this mighty wind was blowing dead on shore, its force became more and more terrific.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
While I watched the tempest, so beautiful yet terrific, I wandered on with a hasty step.
(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)
There had been his terrific headaches, and we were agreed that it was some sort of brain break-down, and that in his attacks he endured pain beyond our comprehension.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
It was terrific, impossible; and yet there it was, scrawled in black ink across the sheets of paper.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
Giant as he was, the man must have gone down like a pole-axed ox before that terrific blow.
(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
A thousand alarming presentiments of evil to her beloved Catherine from this terrific separation must oppress her heart with sadness, and drown her in tears for the last day or two of their being together; and advice of the most important and applicable nature must of course flow from her wise lips in their parting conference in her closet.
(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)
