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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
As with some of the other atrocities addressed here, this nightmare has thankfully not come to pass for the United States.
—
Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 22 Feb. 2025
In cities and towns across Ukraine, the populace has unfortunately grown accustomed to a new normal daily routine of air raid alarms, bomb shelters and power outages, all accompanied by flying missiles, drone strikes and painfully harrowing news of the latest Russian atrocities.
—Ihor N. Stelmach, Hartford Courant, 22 Feb. 2025
Trump has hinted that a summit between himself and Putin, who has been indicted by the International Criminal Court for atrocities in Ukraine, could take place in the near future.
—Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2025
Four years after a military coup that has morphed into a grinding civil war, experts say there is a growing mental health crisis in the Southeast Asian nation, made worse by the junta’s atrocities against civilians and a humanitarian disaster that has left more than 3 million people displaced.
—Anne Chan, NBC News, 1 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atrocity
Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 22 Feb. 2025
In cities and towns across Ukraine, the populace has unfortunately grown accustomed to a new normal daily routine of air raid alarms, bomb shelters and power outages, all accompanied by flying missiles, drone strikes and painfully harrowing news of the latest Russian atrocities.
—Ihor N. Stelmach, Hartford Courant, 22 Feb. 2025
Trump has hinted that a summit between himself and Putin, who has been indicted by the International Criminal Court for atrocities in Ukraine, could take place in the near future.
—Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2025
Four years after a military coup that has morphed into a grinding civil war, experts say there is a growing mental health crisis in the Southeast Asian nation, made worse by the junta’s atrocities against civilians and a humanitarian disaster that has left more than 3 million people displaced.
—Anne Chan, NBC News, 1 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atrocity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atrocity
Noun
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My biggest problem with most horror movies is that there is always a solution at the end.—
Georg Szalai,
The Hollywood Reporter,
14 Feb. 2025
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Another 20th title, the Sam Raimi horror movie Send Help starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien, will open on January 30, 2026.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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He is also charged with third- and fourth-degree weapons charges related to possession of a golf club and knife, as well as animal cruelty related to the death of a family cat.—
Audrey Conklin,
Fox News,
25 Feb. 2025
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Ex-College Soccer Player Accused of Killing Fellow Athlete Brother, Cat Using Knife, Golf Club: Prosecutors He was also charged with animal cruelty for allegedly killing a cat who lived in the apartment.—
Christine Pelisek,
People.com,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Spanning from the 2014 Maidan Revolution to spring 2024, their story blends the glamour of drag with the brutality of war.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
10 Feb. 2025
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The President has had a complicated history with the NFL, after criticizing players who kneeled during the national anthem in protest of police brutality and racial injustice during his first administration.—
Simmone Shah,
TIME,
7 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Atrocity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrocity. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
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