1
as in horror
the quality of inspiring intense dread or dismay
the undeniable atrocity of the forced march of Cherokees known as the Trail of Tears
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in badness
the state or quality of being utterly evil
was appalled by the atrocity of Stalin's mass executions
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in cruelty
disposition to willfully inflict pain and suffering on others
wars often unleash a level of atrocity that would be unimaginable in peacetime
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of atrocity
Hearing the atrocities that occurred on these grounds gave me a much deeper understanding of both the landscape and the people who lived there years ago.
—
Robert Annis, Outside Online, 3 July 2025
The overall budget is a $321-billion atrocity that’s a whopping 60% higher than the budget seven years ago.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 2 July 2025
While Israel has every right to defend itself and respond to the atrocities of Oct. 7th, nothing can justify the horrors currently committed in Gaza.
—Ayelet Gundar-Goshen, Time, 7 July 2025
Some three decades after the genocide in Srebrenica, there are several early warning signs and risk factors indicating the serious risk of atrocity crimes in the region.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for atrocity
Robert Annis, Outside Online, 3 July 2025
The overall budget is a $321-billion atrocity that’s a whopping 60% higher than the budget seven years ago.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 2 July 2025
While Israel has every right to defend itself and respond to the atrocities of Oct. 7th, nothing can justify the horrors currently committed in Gaza.
—Ayelet Gundar-Goshen, Time, 7 July 2025
Some three decades after the genocide in Srebrenica, there are several early warning signs and risk factors indicating the serious risk of atrocity crimes in the region.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for atrocity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atrocity
Noun
-
The legendary artist, whose first band's name was taken from a Mario Bava horror film starring Boris Karloff, will forever have a career shrouded in myth.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
22 July 2025
-
The pair, who tied the knot in 2017, play a dysfunctional codependent couple in horror film Together directed by Michael Shanks.—
Sharareh Drury,
People.com,
22 July 2025
Noun
-
The new law adds to existing municipal ordinances that forbid animal cruelty or neglect, including leaving a pet in too small of a space or outside in the hot Florida sun.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
3 July 2025
-
The record got its name from a title track that comes mid-album, a plucky, haunting Americana song that explores the ties between love and cruelty.—
Audrey Gibbs,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
Kenya’s biggest cities have been roiled for days by protesters demonstrating against stagnating growth, soaring inequality, and police brutality.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
11 July 2025
-
The entire world needs to stand up and condemn the severe incident, which again reveals the brutality of Hamas.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
6 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Atrocity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrocity. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
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