ATROCIOUSNESS Synonyms: 137 Similar and Opposite Words

atrociousness

noun

Definition of atrociousness

as in dreadfulness

the quality of inspiring intense dread or dismay George Orwell's novel 1984 captures the atrociousness of tyranny

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in badness

the state or quality of being utterly evil the unspeakable atrociousness of the mass genocide that was perpetrated in that African nation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in cruelty

disposition to willfully inflict pain and suffering on others for sheer atrociousness the murders committed by Jack the Ripper occupy a special place in the annals of crime

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for atrociousness

Noun

The couple’s case files later became the basis for the Conjuring horror film series, one of the highest-grossing franchises in the genre.

— Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Oct. 2026
In my opinion, the second half of Vertigo is more psychological horror than mystery.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of horror

Noun

But, as part of a meticulous reconstruction of a type of eatery known for mediocre food, does its badness actually count as a mark of success?

— Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
Leaping around in time, Gilroy draws us into Alex’s world with an effervescent wink at the badness of his behavior.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of badness

Noun

During a recorded interview, police said that Morillo acknowledged his role in their care, and he was arrested on one count of animal cruelty.

— Manuel Bojorquez, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
Worse still is cruelty at a level Americans can’t stomach; separation of families, outright brutality against women and the elderly, deaths by indifference, even murder.

— Michael Kiefer, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of cruelty

Noun

Comparing the administration's fight to protect women and women's spaces from males to rape, is utterly disgusting and actually devalues those atrocities and crimes against actual women.

— Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
The state and town have made efforts to atone for the atrocities over the past centuries.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of atrocity

Noun

But soon after, in Genesis 18, God tells Abraham of plans to investigate reports of sinfulness in Sodom and Gomorrah.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2026
Denver author Josiah Hesse was raised by Evangelical parents in churches that believe in the torments of hell, that their poverty is due to their sinfulness and lack of faith.

— Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2026

Definition of sinfulness

Noun

Dupuy-Spencer had a reputation for clear-eyed renderings of both the tenderness and the brutality of our world; here, darker forces prevail.

— Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
However, Gates, who resigned in the wake of the 1992 LA Riots, was also viewed as leaving a legacy of police brutality and racial tension.

— Tom Wait, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of brutality

Noun

An offense run by a coach of McVay's stature should not struggle in as many basic aspects as this one did Sunday — and much of that awfulness was due to McVay's erratic play-calling and Stafford's inconsistent decisions.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Oct. 2026
In a world so full of dread and awfulness, why not take a moment to read anonymous petty literary gossip on the internet?

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026

Definition of awfulness

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

atrociously

atrociousness

atrocity

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Atrociousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrociousness. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of atrociousness

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

shindig

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes