atrocious
adjective
atro·cious
ə-ˈtrō-shəs 
2
: appalling, horrifying
the atrocious weapons of modern war
an atrocious accident
3
a
: utterly revolting : abominable
atrocious working conditions
atrocious weather
b
: of very poor quality
atrocious handwriting
atrociously
adverb
atrociousness
noun
Examples of atrocious in a Sentence
… much of the manufactured-home industry employed sales practices that were atrocious. The need for meaningful down payments was frequently ignored. Sometimes fakery was involved. Moreover, impossible-to-meet monthly payments were being agreed to by borrowers who signed up because they had nothing to lose.
—
Warren E. Buffett, Newsweek, 9 Mar. 2009
In the hands of a succession of more or less sadistic colonial governors and prison officers, convicts, particularly repeat offenders, found themselves subjected to atrocious punishments, flogged, committed to chain gangs, kept in underground pits, starved, and bullied.
—Caroline Moorehead, New York Review of Books, 16 Nov. 2006
It would seem that by now the Tigers might be weary of analyzing their roller-coaster season, sick of reliving their atrocious 9-23 start and comparing it with their recent hot streak.
—Sports Illustrated, 4 Sept. 2000
an atrocious period in the nation's history
an atrocious crime that shocked even hardened members of the police force
Warren E. Buffett, Newsweek, 9 Mar. 2009
In the hands of a succession of more or less sadistic colonial governors and prison officers, convicts, particularly repeat offenders, found themselves subjected to atrocious punishments, flogged, committed to chain gangs, kept in underground pits, starved, and bullied.
—Caroline Moorehead, New York Review of Books, 16 Nov. 2006
It would seem that by now the Tigers might be weary of analyzing their roller-coaster season, sick of reliving their atrocious 9-23 start and comparing it with their recent hot streak.
—Sports Illustrated, 4 Sept. 2000
an atrocious period in the nation's history
an atrocious crime that shocked even hardened members of the police force
Recent Examples on the Web
The pricing for a Pro account is, frankly, atrocious.
—PC Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025
Their pitching has been atrocious, with a combined ERA of 4.57 that ranks 25th in MLB.
—Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
But his plate discipline was atrocious, as evidenced by 113 strikeouts compared to only nine walks.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
Very enjoyable with the exception of the final score and the atrocious calls.
—Arpon Basu, The Athletic, 1 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for atrocious
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PC Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025
Their pitching has been atrocious, with a combined ERA of 4.57 that ranks 25th in MLB.
—Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
But his plate discipline was atrocious, as evidenced by 113 strikeouts compared to only nine walks.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
Very enjoyable with the exception of the final score and the atrocious calls.
—Arpon Basu, The Athletic, 1 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for atrocious
Cite this Entry
“Atrocious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atrocious. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
atrocious
adjective
atro·cious
ə-ˈtrō-shəs
1
: savagely wicked, brutal, or cruel
2
: very bad
atrocious weather
atrociously
adverb
atrociousness
noun
Legal Definition
atrocious
adjective
atro·cious
ə-ˈtrō-shəs
: characterized by extreme cruelty or viciousness
atrocious assault and battery
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