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
Every day there is a new cut to programs that actually help people in need or a new atrocity like Alligator Alcatraz that promotes cruelty to other human beings.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 16 July 2025
Israeli officials have repeatedly compared Hamas’ October 7 attacks to Nazi atrocities during World War II, homing in on the narrative that the conflict in Gaza is a war of survival.
—Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 7 July 2025
The law, passed in 1992, allows civil claims against abusers who, while acting in official capacities for foreign governments, engaged in atrocities anywhere in the world.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2025
In response, the COI diminished those atrocities and instead concocted the reverse.
—Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for atrocity
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Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 16 July 2025
Israeli officials have repeatedly compared Hamas’ October 7 attacks to Nazi atrocities during World War II, homing in on the narrative that the conflict in Gaza is a war of survival.
—Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 7 July 2025
The law, passed in 1992, allows civil claims against abusers who, while acting in official capacities for foreign governments, engaged in atrocities anywhere in the world.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2025
In response, the COI diminished those atrocities and instead concocted the reverse.
—Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 5 July 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 30 Jul. 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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