atrociousness

noun

Definition of atrociousnessnext
1
as in dreadfulness
the quality of inspiring intense dread or dismay George Orwell's novel 1984 captures the atrociousness of tyranny

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in badness
the state or quality of being utterly evil the unspeakable atrociousness of the mass genocide that was perpetrated in that African nation

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3
as in cruelty
disposition to willfully inflict pain and suffering on others for sheer atrociousness the murders committed by Jack the Ripper occupy a special place in the annals of crime

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for atrociousness
  1. horror
  2. badness
  3. cruelty
  4. atrocity
  5. sinfulness
  6. brutality
  7. awfulness
  8. evilness
Noun
  • After a horror-heavy October, studios are rolling out their awards bait.
    — David Faris, TheWeek, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Daisy Ridley, Sosie Bacon and Simon Rex are set to star in Get Rid of It, a horror project that Ry Russo-Young will direct from a script by Gemma Holdway.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of horror
Noun
  • But, as part of a meticulous reconstruction of a type of eatery known for mediocre food, does its badness actually count as a mark of success?
    — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Leaping around in time, Gilroy draws us into Alex’s world with an effervescent wink at the badness of his behavior.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of badness
Noun
  • Orange County prosecutors also charged Nguyen with animal cruelty and animal abuse by a caretaker, both felonies, and a sentencing enhancement alleging the personal use of a weapon.
    — Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2026
  • What readers are saying The comments express outrage and sadness over the cruelty inflicted on kittens, with many calling for harsher penalties for animal abuse.
    — Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of cruelty
Noun
  • Even the worst atrocity has its rightful place and is necessary to the scheme of things, even adding to the beauty.
    — Artforum, Artforum, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Today, 80 years on, survivors who witnessed the atrocities that Marie-Claude so meticulously put before the court — and the watching world — are sadly dwindling in number.
    — Natalie Livingstone, Sun Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of atrocity
Noun
  • But soon after, in Genesis 18, God tells Abraham of plans to investigate reports of sinfulness in Sodom and Gomorrah.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2026
  • Denver author Josiah Hesse was raised by Evangelical parents in churches that believe in the torments of hell, that their poverty is due to their sinfulness and lack of faith.
    — Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2026
Definition of sinfulness
Noun
  • Dupuy-Spencer had a reputation for clear-eyed renderings of both the tenderness and the brutality of our world; here, darker forces prevail.
    — Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
  • However, Gates, who resigned in the wake of the 1992 LA Riots, was also viewed as leaving a legacy of police brutality and racial tension.
    — Tom Wait, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of brutality
Noun
  • An offense run by a coach of McVay's stature should not struggle in as many basic aspects as this one did Sunday — and much of that awfulness was due to McVay's erratic play-calling and Stafford's inconsistent decisions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Oct. 2026
  • In a world so full of dread and awfulness, why not take a moment to read anonymous petty literary gossip on the internet?
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026
Definition of awfulness
Noun
  • That was really what helped me into the character and into her evilness.
    — William Earl, Variety, 4 Oct. 2025
Definition of evilness
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Atrociousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrociousness. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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