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
This led to the investigation of Gein’s farm that unearthed his atrocities, including Worden’s body being decapitated, flayed, and hung in his shed.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2025
Did Ed Gein have a girlfriend, Adeline Watkins, who introduced him to World War II atrocities?
—Jr Radcliffe, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025
However, former prime ministers have chaired similar meetings in the past, after particularly deadly atrocities – including the Westminster Bridge terror attack in 2017, the Manchester Arena terror attack several months later, and the London Bridge terror attack in 2019.
—Peter Wilkinson, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
During the 1950s, when Gein was committing his crimes, details about the Nazi atrocities and the death camps were coming to light.
—Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atrocity
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Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2025
Did Ed Gein have a girlfriend, Adeline Watkins, who introduced him to World War II atrocities?
—Jr Radcliffe, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025
However, former prime ministers have chaired similar meetings in the past, after particularly deadly atrocities – including the Westminster Bridge terror attack in 2017, the Manchester Arena terror attack several months later, and the London Bridge terror attack in 2019.
—Peter Wilkinson, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
During the 1950s, when Gein was committing his crimes, details about the Nazi atrocities and the death camps were coming to light.
—Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 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 8 Oct. 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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