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

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

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