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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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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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
  • The creative team also has a big vote of confidence in horror mogul Jason Blum, who produced the original film and signed on as a producer of the play.
    — William Earl, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Precognition is a live-action sci-fi horror game from Barlow’s Half Mermaid Productions and UK indie outfit Kinetic Publishing.
    — Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of horror
Noun
  • On one side, a satanic figure named Randall Flagg who gathers his forces of badness to Las Vegas; on the other, the good guys, led by 108-year-old Mother Abigail in, of all places, Boulder.
    — Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
  • The show premiered over Thanksgiving weekend, when people were tired and full and bored (and probably also horny), and countered our world’s unceasing badness with its world’s buoyant sweetness.
    — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026
Definition of badness
Noun
  • So far, more than 100 officers have completed training on recognizing animal cruelty and collecting evidence, and have been equipped with referrals to resources if no cruelty is found.
    — Julie Sharp, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • As Rhaenyra slowly descends into a pit of despair, cruelty and desperation, Daemon and his armies run into some snags on their assault of Tumbleton thanks to the various tricks Lord Ormund has up his sleeves.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of cruelty
Noun
  • More than 120,000 of these atrocities are operating in the United States today — and that number is rapidly growing.
    — Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The Disappearers is, among other things, one novel responding to many atrocities.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 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
  • Tobe Hooper’s original film is arguably the best artistic achievement that the genre has ever seen, boasting an unflinching portrayal of brutality that holds up to this day.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Darnella Frazier, 17, took out her phone and recorded the brutality.
    — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of brutality
Noun
  • 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
  • The relative excitement around the Rockies having arrived in San Diego at 6-6 is a reaction based on their relative awfulness.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 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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atrociously
atrociousness
atrocity
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Cite this Entry

“Atrociousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrociousness. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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