atrociously
|a-tro-cious-ly|
🇺🇸
/əˈtroʊʃəs/
🇬🇧
/əˈtrəʊʃəs/
(atrocious)
extremely bad
Etymology
'atrocious' originates from Latin, specifically the adjective 'atrox' (genitive 'atrocis'), meaning 'fierce' or 'cruel'.
'atrox' passed into Old French as 'atroce', and from French (via Middle French/early modern usage) entered English as 'atrocious' in the 16th century; the adverb 'atrociously' is formed by adding the adverbial suffix '-ly'.
Initially it meant 'fierce, savage, or harsh' (as in cruelty); over time it broadened to mean 'extremely bad, shockingly poor, or cruel' in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adverb 1
in a shockingly cruel, brutal, or barbaric way
The regime acted atrociously toward political dissidents.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/14 01:20