Word: atrocious (adjective)

Associations

Atrocious means something that is extremely bad or awful. It describes something that is shocking or terrible.

• Example 1: "The food was atrocious." This means the food tasted very bad or was not good at all.
• Example 2: "Her behavior at the party was atrocious." This means her behavior was very unacceptable or disrespectful.
• Example 3: "The movie received atrocious reviews." This means the reviews were very negative and not favorable at all.

A well-known synonym for atrocious is "horrible." While both words mean very bad, "atrocious" often suggests a level of violence or moral outrage that "horrible" does not necessarily convey.

Substitution

Here are other words/phrases you can use instead of "atrocious":

• Appalling - It also means shocking or very bad, but may have a slightly more formal tone.
• Dreadful - This word suggests something intensely bad or awful, but it is less extreme than "atrocious."
• Terrible - This is a more common word that describes something bad, but it can be used in less severe contexts than "atrocious."

Deconstruction

The word "atrocious" comes from the Latin root "atrox," meaning fierce or cruel. The prefix "a-" can imply "not" or "without," but in this case, it enhances the meaning of "atrocious." The suffix "-ous" means "full of," so it literally implies being full of cruelty or fierceness. Historically, "atrocious" was related to acts of cruelty, which is why it is used for something that is shockingly bad.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you experienced something atrocious? What was it, and how did it make you feel?
• Are there situations in your life where the word "atrocious" could apply, but you might use a different word? What are those situations?
• How do you choose words to describe something that is very bad, and how does the severity of the situation affect your choice?