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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of atrocious
Trump poses as a pro-worker force, but his policies are atrocious for the laboring class.
—
Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
But that’s exactly what happened in the second half of an atrocious Rockets’ Game 2 loss to the Lakers.
—Dan Woike, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2026
They’ve been defeated decisively in their past three games and their special teams have been atrocious across the span of their funk, killing just two thirds of their penalties and converting on only 8% of power-play opportunities.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 8 Apr. 2026
But Oklahoma Baptist was more than up to the challenge, and turned to its own defense to limit East Bay to an atrocious shooting day.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for atrocious
Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
But that’s exactly what happened in the second half of an atrocious Rockets’ Game 2 loss to the Lakers.
—Dan Woike, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2026
They’ve been defeated decisively in their past three games and their special teams have been atrocious across the span of their funk, killing just two thirds of their penalties and converting on only 8% of power-play opportunities.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 8 Apr. 2026
But Oklahoma Baptist was more than up to the challenge, and turned to its own defense to limit East Bay to an atrocious shooting day.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for atrocious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atrocious
Adjective
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Earlier in the month, the courts heard the horrific and emotional testimonies of camp counselors of that night as part of the lawsuit.—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
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So even as the Nazi regime was radicalizing through the 1930s and committing horrific violence, the German population was still laughing and being entertained.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The delay seemed to Silva like one more indignity in a terrible series of events that began with her husband’s death in 2024.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
30 Apr. 2026
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The logic here is peak modern NBA, and the league wants to make being slightly below average more rewarding than being truly terrible.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In Oddity, Darcy (Carolyn Bracken) is driven entirely by grief over the brutal murder of her twin sister.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
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Demand for EVs in China is slowing after the government trimmed consumer subsidies and perks, and there’s no end in sight to a brutal price war as a crowded field of EV rivals jostle to outperform and undercut one another.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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The gruesome case forced the Asahiyama Zoo, closed since early last month as part of regular maintenance ahead of the summer season, to delay its reopening scheduled for Wednesday.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
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Bathen says the gruesome details aren't a bother to some.—
Gillian Telling,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Your cab driver is taking you on a horrible route.—
Zach Schiffman,
Curbed,
24 Apr. 2026
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There’s enough cop shows, stories about how horrible the world is, enough plot lines that are similar to each other.—
Annika Pham,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In what neatly encapsulates the uncomfortable, rude, thin-skinned yet cruel, sarcastic and ultimately juvenile communication style of his online brood, the leader of the pack started with — what else — Lawrence’s looks.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2026
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Every day in New York City, thousands of home attendants are being forced to work cruel 24-hour shifts while being paid for only 13 of those hours.—
Christopher Marte,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In the furthest part of space lies Dante 01, a detention facility that houses criminals who have committed the most shocking crimes imaginable.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
25 Apr. 2026
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Their latest documentary series looks set to continue that streak, exploring a shocking real case of love, betrayal, and justice.—
Fleurine Tideman,
Glamour,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Their banter is empty because outside the season’s premiere, The Boys hasn’t actually shown us this awful America, and how everyone within it, including celebrities, are at risk.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
29 Apr. 2026
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This state has had some awful governors, but none in modern times ever attempted anything so repugnant as exposing more children to deadly diseases, as DeSantis has.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Atrocious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrocious. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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