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
Synonyms
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
Meantime, Israel confronted a seven-front war, orchestrated by Iran and its jihadist proxies, beginning with Hamas and its atrocious October 7 attack, and sustained by Hezbollah, which began aerial attacks the following day.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 20 Dec. 2024
Houston’s shooting was atrocious from everywhere on the floor — the team shot only 36.5% from the field, 23.9% from three and 60% from the free-throw line.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 15 Dec. 2024
While my friends and family are at the top of the Christmas list, what about my hair stylist who saved me from that atrocious bang cut or the UPS delivery man who protects my packages from the rain?
—Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 23 Nov. 2024
However, their defense has been atrocious, allowing 28.3 points per game, which is tied with the Cowboys for 30th in the NFL.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for atrocious 
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Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 20 Dec. 2024
Houston’s shooting was atrocious from everywhere on the floor — the team shot only 36.5% from the field, 23.9% from three and 60% from the free-throw line.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 15 Dec. 2024
While my friends and family are at the top of the Christmas list, what about my hair stylist who saved me from that atrocious bang cut or the UPS delivery man who protects my packages from the rain?
—Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 23 Nov. 2024
However, their defense has been atrocious, allowing 28.3 points per game, which is tied with the Cowboys for 30th in the NFL.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for atrocious
Dictionary Entries Near atrocious
Cite this Entry
“Atrocious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atrocious. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.
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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