What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
awful
Example
The food at that restaurant was awful. [awful: adjective]
Example
I had an awful day at work today. [awful: adjective]
atrocious
Example
The conditions in that prison were atrocious. [atrocious: adjective]
Example
His behavior towards her was absolutely atrocious. [atrocious: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Awful is more commonly used than atrocious in everyday language. Awful is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while atrocious is less common and tends to be used in more serious or formal situations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between awful and atrocious?
While awful can be used in both informal and formal contexts, atrocious is generally considered more formal and is often used in serious or professional settings.
