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 ConradSynonyms
Examples 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 country was not far removed from the atrocities of the Holocaust and World War II and Allison said the images sparked soul searching.
—Chelsea Bailey, CNN, 30 July 2024
For more than a year and a half, the details of the atrocity were hidden and covered up from the public.
—Adam Bernstein, Washington Post, 29 July 2024
The play delves into the legal and ethical complexities of the trial exploring how the pursuit of justice can intersect with the need for closure, healing and reconciliation in the aftermath of unspeakable atrocities.
—Linda Chase, Sun Sentinel, 15 July 2024
Almost no one is talking about these atrocities against children.
—Orlando Bloom, Newsweek, 9 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for atrocity 
Chelsea Bailey, CNN, 30 July 2024
For more than a year and a half, the details of the atrocity were hidden and covered up from the public.
—Adam Bernstein, Washington Post, 29 July 2024
The play delves into the legal and ethical complexities of the trial exploring how the pursuit of justice can intersect with the need for closure, healing and reconciliation in the aftermath of unspeakable atrocities.
—Linda Chase, Sun Sentinel, 15 July 2024
Almost no one is talking about these atrocities against children.
—Orlando Bloom, Newsweek, 9 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for atrocity
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'atrocity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near atrocity
Cite this Entry
“Atrocity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atrocity. Accessed 20 Aug. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share