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
Recently it was renamed the Battle of Fort Dearborn, acknowledging that both sides committed atrocities in the centuries-long struggle between Native Americans and European colonizers for control of what became the United States.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
Prevention of these atrocities is a faraway goal with little to no preparatory work being undertaken by States.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
But forces aligned with the Syrian government have been accused of targeting the Druze, including atrocities such as a massacre at a local hospital and executing unarmed civilians.
—Rami Zeedan, The Conversation, 11 Aug. 2025
While Hamas commits atrocities against its own people, uses its children as human shields, hoards humanitarian aid, and starves Israeli hostages like Evyatar David — forcing him to dig his own grave — the international community blames Israel.
—Avi Weiss, New York Daily News, 10 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atrocity
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Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
Prevention of these atrocities is a faraway goal with little to no preparatory work being undertaken by States.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
But forces aligned with the Syrian government have been accused of targeting the Druze, including atrocities such as a massacre at a local hospital and executing unarmed civilians.
—Rami Zeedan, The Conversation, 11 Aug. 2025
While Hamas commits atrocities against its own people, uses its children as human shields, hoards humanitarian aid, and starves Israeli hostages like Evyatar David — forcing him to dig his own grave — the international community blames Israel.
—Avi Weiss, New York Daily News, 10 Aug. 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 29 Aug. 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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