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 ConradExamples 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
But slightly lesser known is that film’s sort-of sequel, The Look of Silence, which tells the stories of victims of such atrocities.
—Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Too often, shooters use unsecured weapons to commit these atrocities.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Apr. 2025
Since 1996, soldiers and militias have killed 6 million people there and committed atrocities against countless civilians.
—Amy Yurkanin, ProPublica, 15 Apr. 2025
Both sides have been accused of atrocities, with the RSF — accused of genocide.
—Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atrocity
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Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Too often, shooters use unsecured weapons to commit these atrocities.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Apr. 2025
Since 1996, soldiers and militias have killed 6 million people there and committed atrocities against countless civilians.
—Amy Yurkanin, ProPublica, 15 Apr. 2025
Both sides have been accused of atrocities, with the RSF — accused of genocide.
—Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atrocity
Cite this Entry
“Atrocity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atrocity. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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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