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

Synonyms

• atrociousness
• awfulness
• dreadfulness
• frightfulness
• ghastliness
• grisliness
• gruesomeness
• hideousness
• horridness
• horror
• monstrosity
• repulsiveness

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

Our government continues to give Israel billions in military aid with which to carry out these atrocities. —Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 3 May 2025

Less than half a dozen countries, including Sweden, the Netherlands, and Armenia have recognized these atrocities. —Lynn Zovighian, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025

The staggering amount reflects both the scope of the atrocities and the number of survivors, experts say. —Ali Martin, Christian Science Monitor, 29 Apr. 2025

Over the years, the Genocide Prevention and Awareness Month has also been used to shine a light on ongoing atrocities globally and the serious risk of atrocities. —Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see atrocious

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for atrocity

• ferocity
• monstrosity
• pomposity
• porosity
• precocity
• schistosity
• velocity
• verbosity
• viscosity
• animosity
• curiosity
• generosity

Kids 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