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Horribly vs Terribly - What's the difference?

horribly | terribly | Synonyms |

Terribly is a synonym of horribly.



As adverbs the difference between horribly and terribly

is that horribly is in a horrible way; very badly while terribly is causing terror or awe.

horribly

English

Adverb

(en adverb)
  • (manner) In a horrible way; very badly.
    • The beginning art students displayed their horribly executed paintings with hopeful faces.
  • (degree, often modifying a negative adverb or adjective) To an extreme degree or extent.
    • Then everything went horribly wrong.
    The man was horribly nice, yet she still wouldn't marry him.
  • (evaluative) With a very bad effect.
    • Horribly , as he was dying, his eyes reddened.

    Usage notes

    * Adjectives to which "horribly" is often applied: wrong, afraid, bad, pleased, expensive, painful, slow, sick, cold, sad, difficult, cruel, fond, long, ill, awry, funny, familiar, depressed, ashamed, dirty, true, hot, confused, hard, tired.

    Synonyms

    * (all senses) dreadfully, frightfully, horrifyingly, terribly, terrifyingly * very, terribly, awfully

    terribly

    English

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • Causing terror or awe.
    • The lion roared terribly .
  • Very; extremely.
    • He's terribly busy and you really shouldn't bother him.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=December 15 , author=Felicity Cloake , title=How to cook the perfect nut roast , work=Guardian citation , page= , passage=The parsnip, stilton and chestnut combination may taste good, but it's not terribly decorative. In fact, dull's the word, a lingering adjectival ghost of nut roasts past that I'm keen to banish from the table. Mary Berry wraps her version in strips of chargrilled aubergine but, although it looks rather smart, I worry that something so Mediterranean will stick out like a sore thumb on the plate, given that many vegetarians want to enjoy the same roast potatoes, sprouts and sauces as everyone else. Instead, inspired by the stuffed cabbage rolls eaten at Christmas in the Balkans and Eastern Europe, I use blanched savoy cabbage leaves to wrap my parsnippy parcel, adding a touch of festive greenery to the dish.}}
  • Very badly.
    • She even signed up for karaoke, although she sang terribly .

    Usage notes

    * Adjectives to which "terribly" is often applied: wrong, sorry, important, difficult, hard, afraid, sad, bad, expensive, long, upset, exciting, fast, excited, slow, cold, hot, busy, concerned, pleased, interesting, painful, funny, lonely, ill, good, tired, strong, confused, serious, fond, old, angry, anxious, effective, depressed, familiar, attractive, happy, poor, hungry, sick, big, nice, small, dull, clever, dirty, proud, disappointing, sweet, original, ashamed, efficient, successful, jealous, simple, strange, cruel.

    Synonyms

    * (very) very, extremely, awfully, horribly