1. abnormally large (Freq. 5) • Similar to: large, big • Derivationally related forms: monster, monstrosity 2. shockingly brutal or cruel (Freq. 3) - murder is an atrocious crime - a grievous offense against morality - a grievous crime - no excess was too monstrous for them to commit • Syn: atrocious, flagitious, grievous • Similar to: evil • Derivationally related forms: monster, monstrosity, atrocity (for: atrocious), atrociousness (for: atrocious) 3. distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous (Freq. 1) - tales of grotesque serpents eight fathoms long that churned the seas - twisted into monstrous shapes • Syn: grotesque • Similar to: ugly • Derivationally related forms: monster, monstrosity, grotesqueness (for: grotesque)