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Synonyms

atrocious

American  
[uh-troh-shuhs] / əˈtroʊ ʃəs /

adjective

  1. extremely or shockingly wicked, cruel, or brutal.

    an atrocious crime.
    Synonyms:
    devilish, diabolic, monstrous, heinous, felonious

  2. shockingly bad or tasteless; dreadful; abominable.

    an atrocious painting; atrocious manners.
    Synonyms:
    detestable, execrable
atrocious British  
/ əˈtrəʊʃəs /

adjective

  1. extremely cruel or wicked; ruthless

    atrocious deeds

  2. horrifying or shocking

    an atrocious road accident

  3. informal very bad; detestable

    atrocious writing
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • atrociously adverb
  • atrociousness noun

Etymology

Origin of atrocious

First recorded in 1660–70; atroci(ty) + -ous

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Mark Joseph Stern: It sounds antiseptic, but it’s absolutely atrocious.

From Slate • Feb. 28, 2026

The search for a ninth person believed killed in a huge avalanche in the US state of California will stretch into the weekend, officials said Thursday, as atrocious weather hampered operations.

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

England's atrocious Ashes tour ended with a five-wicket defeat in the fifth Test that gave Australia a 4-1 series triumph.

From BBC • Jan. 7, 2026

Equally atrocious was the Bruins’ defense, players leaving the perimeter open on drive-and-dishes that led to a flurry of three-pointers.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 3, 2026

She returned to her room relieved to know that her nerves were not failing her but that something atrocious was going on in her husband’s secret den.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.