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
The war has been marked by atrocities including mass killings, gang rape and other crimes, that have been being investigated by the International Criminal Court as potential war crimes and crimes against humanity.
—ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026
The war has been marked by atrocities including mass killings, gang rape and other crimes, which are being investigated by the International Criminal Court as potential war crimes and crimes against humanity.
—Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026
The group has been fighting against the Sudanese military since April 2023 in a war that has pushed parts of the country into famine and is marked by widespread atrocities.
—Arkansas Online, 26 Mar. 2026
Yes, that would be an atrocity.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for atrocity
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ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026
The war has been marked by atrocities including mass killings, gang rape and other crimes, which are being investigated by the International Criminal Court as potential war crimes and crimes against humanity.
—Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026
The group has been fighting against the Sudanese military since April 2023 in a war that has pushed parts of the country into famine and is marked by widespread atrocities.
—Arkansas Online, 26 Mar. 2026
Yes, that would be an atrocity.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for atrocity
Cite this Entry
“Atrocity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atrocity. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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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