atrocity
noun
atroc·i·ty
ə-ˈträ-sə-tē 
plural atrocities
1
: a shockingly bad or atrocious act, object, or situation
the atrocities of war
2
: the quality or state of being atrocious
… the paralysing atrocity of the thought which occupied her.—
Joseph Conrad
Joseph ConradSynonyms
Examples of atrocity in a Sentence
Atrocities were committed by forces on both sides of the conflict.
Who could be capable of such atrocity?
Recent Examples on the Web
The lands were once owned by the tribe as one of its leaders, Chief Bogus Tom Smith, labored to rebuild his community in the wake of the California Gold Rush and the atrocities wreaked upon California tribes, including a genocidal campaign in the years following U.S. statehood.
—Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 12 Oct. 2024
The starting point on this pathway must be a clear-eyed recognition of the status quo that existed long before the atrocities of Oct. 7, and persists today.
—Mary Robinson, TIME, 8 Oct. 2024
Generations of Chinese grew up learning about the atrocities committed by Japanese soldiers in school textbooks and on state television.
—Cnn Staff, CNN, 25 Sep. 2024
Nickel, now closed down, is under investigation, and the numerous atrocities which occurred there are finally coming to light, with horrifying stories proliferating on the internet.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for atrocity 
Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 12 Oct. 2024
The starting point on this pathway must be a clear-eyed recognition of the status quo that existed long before the atrocities of Oct. 7, and persists today.
—Mary Robinson, TIME, 8 Oct. 2024
Generations of Chinese grew up learning about the atrocities committed by Japanese soldiers in school textbooks and on state television.
—Cnn Staff, CNN, 25 Sep. 2024
Nickel, now closed down, is under investigation, and the numerous atrocities which occurred there are finally coming to light, with horrifying stories proliferating on the internet.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for atrocity
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'atrocity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near atrocity
Cite this Entry
“Atrocity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atrocity. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
atrocity
noun
atroc·i·ty
ə-ˈträs-ət-ē
plural atrocities
1
: the quality or state of being atrocious
2
: something that is atrocious
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