əˈtɹəʊʃəs əˈtɹoʊʃəs fləˈdʒɪʃəs ɡɹiː.vəs ɡɹəʊˈtɛsk ɡɹoʊˈtɛsk ˈmɑnstɹəs ˈmɒnstɹəs distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous tales of grotesque serpents eight fathoms long that churned the seas twisted into monstrous shapes shockingly brutal or cruel murder is an atrocious crime a grievous offense against morality a grievous crime no excess was too monstrous for them to commit abnormally large