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
Immediately, people all over the world are uploading videos of their enemies committing atrocities, inflaming centuries-old animosities.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
After thousands of terrorists invaded Israel and committed mass atrocities, Hamas continued to commandeer aid, creating and taking advantage of a black market.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2025
But Lapid, who also spent time in the Israeli military, does not let his government off the hook for the atrocities and military actions done in response to that violence.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 28 May 2025
If a regime can commit atrocities, wait patiently, and return unscathed, sanctions become meaningless.
—Zoltan Istvan, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for atrocity
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Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
After thousands of terrorists invaded Israel and committed mass atrocities, Hamas continued to commandeer aid, creating and taking advantage of a black market.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2025
But Lapid, who also spent time in the Israeli military, does not let his government off the hook for the atrocities and military actions done in response to that violence.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 28 May 2025
If a regime can commit atrocities, wait patiently, and return unscathed, sanctions become meaningless.
—Zoltan Istvan, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 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 9 Jun. 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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