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
Israel previously launched a war effort after terrorists perpetrated atrocities including murders, rapes, and kidnappings during a heinous attack in 2023.
—Alex Nitzberg, Fox News, 13 Feb. 2025
The United States participated in negotiations that led to the adoption of the Rome Statute that established the court as a tribunal of last resort to prosecute the world’s worst atrocities — war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide — if individual governments did not take action.
—Darlene Superville, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
Indeed, generations of Chinese have viewed Japan as an enemy, with many elders still harboring resentment over atrocities committed by Japanese soldiers during World War II.
—Ann Scott Tyson, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Feb. 2025
States should come together to make clear that this cannot happen and take action to prevent further atrocities against the Palestinian people.
—Carine Harb, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
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Alex Nitzberg, Fox News, 13 Feb. 2025
The United States participated in negotiations that led to the adoption of the Rome Statute that established the court as a tribunal of last resort to prosecute the world’s worst atrocities — war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide — if individual governments did not take action.
—Darlene Superville, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
Indeed, generations of Chinese have viewed Japan as an enemy, with many elders still harboring resentment over atrocities committed by Japanese soldiers during World War II.
—Ann Scott Tyson, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Feb. 2025
States should come together to make clear that this cannot happen and take action to prevent further atrocities against the Palestinian people.
—Carine Harb, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for atrocity
Dictionary Entries Near atrocity
Cite this Entry
“Atrocity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atrocity. Accessed 20 Feb. 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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