atrocious
Meaning(s)
1. appalling, of very poor quality
Popularity
Medium
Professional
Medium
Social
How to Memorize
the weather/behaviour/attack was atrocious
Analysis
The adjective 'atrocious' is used to describe something horrifying, of bad quality or very unpleasant. It is an adjective used in social and professional contexts. Similar adjectives include 'brutal', 'dreadful' and 'appalling'.
Social Examples (Advance)
- I took my family to the park for a picnic today but it turned into a disaster. First, we got drenched by the rain, then hailstones started falling. The weather was absolutely atrocious!
- The rebel army massacred hundreds of civilians in an early morning raid. A journalist who witnessed the atrocity first-hand said that the attack was vicious and entirely without justification.
- Claire is very creative and has a great imagination, but her handwriting is atrocious so I find it very difficult to read her stories unless she types them out.
Professional Examples (Advance)
- The employee behaved atrociously at the staff bonding weekend. Not only did he vandalize a piece of art but he also assaulted a fellow employee. He will no doubt face severe disciplinary action.
- The way some manufacturers treat their employees is atrocious. They have low pay and terrible working conditions.