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
In New York state social studies classes, communism and socialism are presented as two economic systems that make things more equal and fair, with no historical references to the atrocities committed by socialist and communist regimes confiscating property.
—Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 8 June 2026
For Holocaust Survivor Day, which is observed globally on June 4, nearly 130 survivors gathered with friends and neighbors at Temple Beth Emet in Cooper City to celebrate their lives and important contributions in educating future generations about the atrocities of the Holocaust.
—Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for atrocity
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Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 8 June 2026
For Holocaust Survivor Day, which is observed globally on June 4, nearly 130 survivors gathered with friends and neighbors at Temple Beth Emet in Cooper City to celebrate their lives and important contributions in educating future generations about the atrocities of the Holocaust.
—Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for atrocity
Cite this Entry
“Atrocity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atrocity. Accessed 11 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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