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
In his remarks, Leo referenced world atrocities, including the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, noting that reporters are risking their lives to provide truth to communities across the globe.
—
Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 9 Oct. 2025
And when that happens, that makes atrocities all that much easier to perpetrate.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 9 Oct. 2025
The enduring dilemma—then as now—is that the passions aroused over atrocities can be easily abused.
—Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2025
Rewarding terrorism only fuels more atrocities against Israel, and emboldens those who target Jews around the world.
—Ofir Akunis, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atrocity
Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 9 Oct. 2025
And when that happens, that makes atrocities all that much easier to perpetrate.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 9 Oct. 2025
The enduring dilemma—then as now—is that the passions aroused over atrocities can be easily abused.
—Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2025
Rewarding terrorism only fuels more atrocities against Israel, and emboldens those who target Jews around the world.
—Ofir Akunis, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atrocity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atrocity
Noun
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As for West, the director made a name for himself in the horror genre with his A24 trilogy that started with X in 2022, followed that same year by Pearl and wrapping with last year’s MaXXXine.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
23 Oct. 2025
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One part satire, one part apocalyptic horror, the film was doubtless an inspiration to later outré directors like David Lynch, Jim Jarmusch, and Harmony Korine.—
Erik Morse,
Vogue,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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What has changed in recent years, Pettman argues, is the ease—and cruelty—with which people can enter and exit one another’s lives.—
Anna Holmes,
The Atlantic,
20 Oct. 2025
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Both characters struggle with the weight of their guilt, but where Cole has fallen deeper into cruelty, Grasso takes the first step on a path to redemption.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The sight of Musk swinging a chainsaw onstage at a conservative conference captured the pell-mell approach, not to mention the brutality, of the billionaire’s plan to bring the federal government to heel.—
Andy Kroll,
New Yorker,
17 Oct. 2025
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And as civil rights protesters proved decades ago, a righteous, peaceful protest that is met with brutality can unmute even a silent majority.—
Nancy Gibbs,
Time,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The real-life 2005 story involving a Canadian couple who inspired this film is horrifying, and the movie does a great job of capturing the awfulness of being mauled by a bear.—
Vanessa Maki,
Vulture,
8 Oct. 2025
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Up-market producer David Susskind railed for four hours about the awfulness of the boob tube.—
Thomas Doherty,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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That was really what helped me into the character and into her evilness.—
William Earl,
Variety,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Atrocity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrocity. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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