atrociously

adverb

Definition of atrociouslynext
as in horribly

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of atrociously That pattern stayed broadly consistent last season, when Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur’s goalkeepers performed badly, but not atrociously. — Michael Cox, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atrociously
  1. horribly
  2. terribly
  3. awfully
  4. dreadfully
  5. poorly
  6. abysmally
  7. horrendously
  8. disastrously
Adverb
  • Nature created measles, modern science found the vaccine to stop it cold and end it forever and now horribly, Bobby Kennedy has brought it roaring back.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • One night, Cathy (Pugh) arrives at their doorstep, horribly beaten and seemingly unable to remember her past.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of horribly
Adverb
  • Susanna Moore is terribly important to us, more so than any of Hemingway’s gallant girls.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The Nazis employed the V-2 heavily during this time, but the rocket was not terribly accurate.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of terribly
Adverb
  • That seems awfully relevant to the idea of creating a new agency to regulate AI, which Schiff supports doing.
    — Nilay Patel, The Verge, 5 Oct. 2026
  • In Bowers, tight end Travis Kelce may be looking in the mirror at his younger self, though the soon-to-be 37-year-old has looked awfully spry himself during the first three games of the season.
    — Pete Sweeney October 1, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of awfully
Adverb
  • Rooms in Blocks 8 and 9 are closest to reception, and the swimming pool, but no walk is dreadfully far (especially considering the interesting animals that meander the pathways).
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Although Yamaha has been dreadfully slow about bringing its motorcycles to India, the R2 made its global debut there this week.
    — Yamaha, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of dreadfully
Adverb
  • A week ago, the Chiefs defense opened so poorly that coordinator Steve Spagnuolo provided a reality check on the sideline in the first quarter.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Even though the score was 27-27 in the fourth quarter and SC's defense seemed to get a stop on a long third down, a trademark poorly timed, and frankly absurd and ridiculous, roughing the passer penalty gave the Ducks a free first down.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of poorly
Adverb
  • Trade talks between Washington and Ottawa ended abysmally in late August, spurring a new wave of tit-for-tat tariffs on hundreds of consumer goods.
    — Rachel Siegel, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026
  • In practice, this meant that the state set abysmally low standards for what students should learn to advance and graduate.
    — Rachel Canter, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026
Definition of abysmally
Adverb
  • The less said about Bryan’s horrendously gauche fuchsia-and-gold dress with puffy armholes and halter neck the better.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 31 July 2026
  • Too little regulation could allow the unleashing of devilish AI that might wipe us out or at least be horrendously destructive.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of horrendously
Adverb
  • Of course, wealth taxes would produce revenues that could be directed to useful purposes, such as expanding government programs or reducing the disastrously high federal deficit.
    — Nicholas Lemann, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
  • If New York’s futility continues, those decisions could age disastrously.
    — Peter Baugh, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of disastrously

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atrocious
atrociously
atrociousness
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Cite this Entry

“Atrociously.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrociously. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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