Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
adjective
- extremely or shockingly wicked, cruel, or brutal: an atrocious crime.
- shockingly bad or tasteless; dreadful; abominable: an atrocious painting; atrocious manners.
adjective
- extremely cruel or wicked; ruthlessatrocious deeds
- horrifying or shockingan atrocious road accident
- informal very bad; detestableatrocious writing
1660s, from stem of Latin atrox “fierce, savage, cruel” (see atrocity) + -ous. Colloquial sense “very bad” is late 19c. Related: Atrociously; atrociousness.