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
There were atrocities largely committed by us.
—Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 2 June 2026
The budget has $4 million to compensate descendants of the victims of one of the worst racial atrocities in Florida history, a case known as the Groveland Four that dates to 1949.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2026
For a media ecosystem that seldom reports on the atrocities of the counterinsurgency, this episode has drawn weeks of political scrutiny.
—Patrick Peralta, The Conversation, 28 May 2026
Its new report is the latest by an international rights group accusing the wealthy Gulf monarchy of financially and militarily aiding the Rapid Support Forces that have been widely accused of committing atrocities amounting to war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
—ABC News, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for atrocity
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Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 2 June 2026
The budget has $4 million to compensate descendants of the victims of one of the worst racial atrocities in Florida history, a case known as the Groveland Four that dates to 1949.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2026
For a media ecosystem that seldom reports on the atrocities of the counterinsurgency, this episode has drawn weeks of political scrutiny.
—Patrick Peralta, The Conversation, 28 May 2026
Its new report is the latest by an international rights group accusing the wealthy Gulf monarchy of financially and militarily aiding the Rapid Support Forces that have been widely accused of committing atrocities amounting to war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
—ABC News, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for atrocity
Cite this Entry
“Atrocity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atrocity. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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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