atrocious deed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "atrocious deed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an act that is extremely bad or wicked, often in a moral or ethical context. Example: "The community was in shock after learning about the atrocious deed committed in their neighborhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"If you lied in 1997, and you realized that people that you were lying for, lying to protect, had carried out such an atrocious deed," he said, "if you have a pure heart, if you have a clear conscience, speak the truth".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It says a lot for the enduring genius of Dutch football that atonement for atrocious deeds and sometimes near unbelievable anarchy is never too far around the corner.

Independent

His new political ambitions need to be contrasted with his atrocious deeds and with the results of last month's elections, in which the Peruvian people gave his party less than 1percentt of the national vote.

The New York Times

The court statement said that despite Sankoh's death, prosecutors would attempt through other war-crimes trials to establish his "involvement in the atrocious deeds that have left a legacy of horror in the minds and memories of those who survived".

The Guardian

Unlike almost any armed faction in history, Islamic State (IS) militants go out of their way to advertise and publicise their most atrocious deeds on the internet.

BBC

But the perpetrators of even the most atrocious deeds seem to have nothing in common beyond their personal insignificance.

Vice

"It saddens us that we have to spend today begging for justice against the atrocious deeds of religious fanatics," she said.

Huffington Post

The man suspected of a gun and bomb attack in Norway has called his deeds atrocious yet necessary, his defense lawyer said on Saturday.

Huffington Post

Of course the great ingredient in Adams's so-called tongue is lying and atrocious deliberate and hellish deeds.

The Guardian

One "supplemental account of some of the bloody deeds" accused him of "atrocious and unnatural acts," including slaughtering Native Americans and eating a dozen of them for breakfast.

The New Yorker

Just atrocious.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the impact of using such a strong term. While it effectively conveys the seriousness of the action, ensure it aligns with the overall tone and purpose of your writing. Overuse can dilute its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "atrocious deed" for minor offenses or mistakes. This phrase is reserved for severely wicked or cruel acts. Overusing it for trivial matters diminishes its impact and can make your writing seem hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "atrocious deed" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "atrocious" modifies the noun "deed". It serves to describe a specific action or event, emphasizing its reprehensible and morally offensive nature. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "atrocious deed" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase employed to describe actions of extreme wickedness or cruelty. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct, and its function is to evoke strong condemnation. The analysis of usage patterns reveals its primary context within News & Media. While the phrase is somewhat infrequent, it carries significant weight due to its focus on egregious acts. When incorporating this phrase into writing, ensure that its gravity aligns with the overall tone and purpose of the content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heinous crime

Replaces "atrocious deed" with a more concise term emphasizing the criminal nature of the act.

wicked act

Replaces "atrocious" with "wicked", emphasizing the moral reprehensibility of the deed.

unspeakable act

Focuses on the shocking and horrific nature of the deed, making it difficult to describe.

horrendous offense

Uses "horrendous" and "offense" to highlight the gravity and offensive nature of the action.

despicable act

Emphasizes the contemptible and vile nature of the deed.

flagrant violation

Highlights the open and scandalous nature of the transgression.

egregious transgression

Replaces "atrocious deed" with elevated vocabulary, emphasizing the severity of the moral or legal failing.

abominable action

Uses "abominable" to stress the disgusting and loathsome character of the action.

terrible misdeed

A more straightforward substitution using "terrible" and "misdeed" to describe the event.

brutal crime

Emphasizes the cruelty and violence associated with the crime.

FAQs

What does "atrocious deed" mean?

An "atrocious deed" refers to an act that is extremely wicked, brutal, or cruel. It signifies a transgression of the highest order, often evoking strong feelings of disgust and condemnation.

What can I say instead of "atrocious deed"?

You can use alternatives like "heinous crime", "wicked act", or "unspeakable act" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "atrocious deed"?

Use "atrocious deed" when describing actions that are morally reprehensible and cause significant harm or suffering. It's most suitable for situations involving extreme cruelty, violence, or betrayal.

How does "atrocious deed" differ from a "bad action"?

"Atrocious deed" implies a much greater level of severity and moral wrongdoing compared to a simple "bad action". While a "bad action" might refer to a minor mistake or error, an "atrocious deed" denotes an act of extreme wickedness and cruelty.