Part of Speech

Adjective

Pronunciation

/əˈtroʊʃəs/

Definitions

• Extremely bad or unpleasant; horrifyingly or shockingly terrible.
• Of very poor quality; dreadful or appalling in nature.
• In a more specific sense, describing something of an unusually violent or cruel nature.

Usage Examples

• The weather was atrocious during the storm, with winds gusting up to 60 miles per hour.
• His atrocious behavior at the meeting shocked everyone present.
• The movie received atrocious reviews due to its poor plot and acting.

Etymology

The word "atrocious" comes from the Latin *atrox* (meaning "savage" or "cruel"), combined with the suffix *-ous* (meaning "full of" or "having the qualities of"). The term entered English in the mid-17th century.

Synonyms

• Horrible
• Abominable
• Atrocious
• Dreadful
• Appalling
• Terrible
• Awful

Antonyms

• Wonderful
• Excellent
• Superb
• Delightful
• Marvelous

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

The pronunciation of "atrocious" may vary depending on regional accents. In some dialects, the 't' may be less emphasized, while in others, the 'r' sound may be rolled or pronounced more strongly. In some regions of the UK, a more fluid and rapid pronunciation is common, while in the US, the pronunciation tends to emphasize each syllable more distinctly.

Historical Usage

The term "atrocious" was first recorded in English around the late 16th century. It was used primarily to describe acts or events that were shockingly bad or cruel. Over time, its usage expanded to include anything that was of poor quality or horrendous in nature. The word has maintained its negative connotation throughout its usage in various contexts, such as describing terrible weather, appalling behavior, or dreadful quality in art and performance.

Cultural Nuances

The word "atrocious" often carries a strong emotional charge and is used to convey disgust or disdain. In English-speaking cultures, it can be applied to various contexts—from describing a terrible movie to denouncing unethical actions. In some cases, it is used more figuratively to describe a situation or condition that is morally or ethically dreadful. In contrast, in some Eastern cultures, while the word itself is not used directly, the equivalent terms often focus more on the concept of suffering or loss caused by poor conditions or actions.

More Information

The word "atrocious" is commonly used in both everyday conversation and more formal contexts to describe things that are shockingly bad, offensive, or unacceptable. Whether referring to a particular event, a person’s behavior, or a product’s quality, it conveys strong disapproval. In more severe cases, it has been used in legal and historical contexts to describe actions that are cruel or unusually violent. Over time, it has broadened in scope to also include less intense but still negative situations or objects, such as an atrocious mistake or an atrocious level of service.