Atrociousness: meaning, definitions and examples

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atrociousness

 

[ Ι™Λˆtroʊ.ΚƒΙ™s.nΙ™s ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in behavior

The quality or state of being extremely cruel, evil, or shocking; extreme wickedness or brutality.

Synonyms

brutality, cruelty, evil.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
atrociousness

Used to describe the quality of being extremely unpleasant, appalling, or horrifying, often in a moral or ethical sense.

  • The atrociousness of the crime shocked the entire community.
  • She was unable to comprehend the sheer atrociousness of the dictator's actions.
cruelty

Used to describe behavior that causes pain, suffering, or distress to others, often intentionally and with a lack of empathy.

  • Animal cruelty is a serious issue that needs to be addressed.
  • Her deliberate cruelty towards her classmates made her very unpopular.
brutality

Used to describe severe and violent behavior, typically physical abuse or harsh treatment.

  • The brutality of the attack left the victim with serious injuries.
  • The documentary exposed the police brutality against peaceful protesters.
evil

Used to describe actions, intentions, or people that are morally wrong or wicked, often carrying a strong negative connotation.

  • The villain in the story is the embodiment of pure evil.
  • She could feel an evil presence lurking in the dark alley.

Examples of usage

  • The atrociousness of the crime shocked the entire community.
  • His atrociousness towards animals was deeply disturbing.
Context #2 | Noun

in quality

The degree or extent of being extremely bad, unpleasant, or of low quality.

Synonyms

awfulness, horribleness, terribleness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
atrociousness

Used to describe something that is shockingly bad or wicked, often with a strong moral or emotional condemnation.

  • The atrociousness of the crime left the entire community in shock.
  • She could not believe the atrociousness of his actions.
awfulness

Applied to situations, experiences, or feelings that are extremely unpleasant or bad.

  • The awfulness of the weather ruined their vacation plans.
  • He couldn't stand the awfulness of the smell in the room.
horribleness

Describes something very unpleasant, typically carrying a less intense moral judgment than 'atrociousness'. Often used for sensations or experiences.

  • The horribleness of the food made everyone lose their appetite.
  • She remembered the horribleness of that night vividly.
terribleness

Used to describe something of very poor quality or very unpleasant. It can be used in various situations, from mundane to severe.

  • The terribleness of the movie made the audience walk out early.
  • He couldn't stop talking about the terribleness of his last job.

Examples of usage

  • The atrociousness of the food made it inedible.
  • The atrociousness of the weather ruined our plans for the day.

Etymology

The word 'atrociousness' originates from the Latin word 'atrocitas', which means cruelty or harshness. Over time, it has evolved to encompass extreme wickedness, brutality, or the quality of being extremely bad or unpleasant. The usage of 'atrociousness' has been prevalent in English language to describe both behavior and quality that are considered shockingly bad or evil.

See also: atrocious, atrociously.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #42,334, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.