1
as in horrific
extremely disturbing or repellent
an atrocious crime that shocked even hardened members of the police force
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in terrible
extremely unsatisfactory
the picture quality on the pirated DVD was atrocious
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in brutal
having or showing the desire to inflict severe pain and suffering on others
the atrocious treatment of prisoners at the camps
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of atrocious
His murders might be long in the past, but as the episode depicts, his atrocious acts appeared to inspire other serial killers, both real and fictional.
—
Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
On Saturday, in atrocious Ruhr Valley conditions, Schalke and Dortmund’s academies contested an under-17 derby.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
The team's offense has been absolutely atrocious to start 2025.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
The Patriots’ pass coverage without Christian Gonzalez, their atrocious inside linebacker play and roller-coaster special teams, which give any adoring fan a heart attack at a moment’s notice.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atrocious
Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
On Saturday, in atrocious Ruhr Valley conditions, Schalke and Dortmund’s academies contested an under-17 derby.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
The team's offense has been absolutely atrocious to start 2025.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
The Patriots’ pass coverage without Christian Gonzalez, their atrocious inside linebacker play and roller-coaster special teams, which give any adoring fan a heart attack at a moment’s notice.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atrocious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atrocious
Adjective
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As this horrific scene is being investigated, prayers on behalf of our entire International Union are with those killed, injured, and affected, including their families, co-workers, and loved ones.—
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
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The Washington Commanders took the brunt of criticism on Sunday after quarterback Jayden Daniels suffered a horrific arm injury in the team’s 38-14 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The groundbreaking research penetrated the last moments of the young nobleman, who suffered a terrible 26 blows.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Nov. 2025
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History is full of cases where great bands make terrible records, yet history stands speechless at what the Clash accomplished here.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Recently, the vast majority have been coming from Sudan, embroiled in a brutal civil war which has displaced millions.—
Mick Krever,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
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Musically, Lee took on the air of a woman revealing intimate truths about herself one year at a time, shedding layers as a way of rewarding patience with honesty, no matter how brutal.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Von had been Trump-friendly before the gruesome and heartbreaking videos of the ICE raids targeting working immigrants started going viral on social media.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
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Daniels suffered his gruesome non-throwing-arm injury during the fourth quarter of Week 9's blowout loss to the Seahawks.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The New York native collected Golden Globe and Spirit awards for her performance as the title character, an aging Czechoslovakian actress forced to take a stand-in job in a horrible off-Broadway play, in Anna.—
Mike Barnes,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Nov. 2025
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Gano opening up about this comes on a horrible day for the football world after Dallas Cowboys second-year linebacker Marshawn Kneeland died by suicide at the age of 24.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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That is unacceptably cruel, corrupt, and undemocratic.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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Instead, she was stripped of her bronze medal after a late score inquiry—a ruling that still feels cruel for an athlete who had delivered the performance of her life.—
Essence,
Essence,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Likewise, using the military to patrol the border is not a shocking mission.—
Peter D. Feaver,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Nov. 2025
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The numbers game was too great before Rhea Ripley made her shocking return from an injury.—
Fernando Quiles Jr,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The Pelicans have gotten off to an awful start, boasting an NBA-worst 0-6 record.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
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Humans can be awful, is one answer.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Atrocious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrocious. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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