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
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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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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of atrocity
Nevertheless, the atrocities experienced by Chinese residents of the country remain little known.
—
Michael Luo, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
How could an empathetic person commit such atrocities?
—Ross Overline, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Kirchner had, a year earlier, backed sanctions for clergymen who publicly opposed the government’s human rights policies, including his decision to annul laws pardoning dictatorship-era atrocities.
—Federico Perelmuter, The Dial, 13 Mar. 2025
The remark seemed to downplay the atrocities of the Holocaust.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atrocity
Michael Luo, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
How could an empathetic person commit such atrocities?
—Ross Overline, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Kirchner had, a year earlier, backed sanctions for clergymen who publicly opposed the government’s human rights policies, including his decision to annul laws pardoning dictatorship-era atrocities.
—Federico Perelmuter, The Dial, 13 Mar. 2025
The remark seemed to downplay the atrocities of the Holocaust.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atrocity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atrocity
Noun
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Triggers Sudden Bitcoin Price ‘Crisis Scenario’ Fear 'Hell Of A Summer' Became A Journey Some Didn’t Expect Inspired by a blend of coming-of-age, horror, and comedy films, Hell of a Summer follows 24-year-old camp counselor Jason Hochberg, played by Thelma and The White Lotus' Fred Hechinger.—
Simon Thompson,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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No stranger to genre films, Monroe will soon be seen starring opposite Mary Elizabeth Winstead in 20th’s reimagining of the classic horror thriller The Hand That Rocks the Cradle.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Officers added at the time that she'd been arrested and charged with assault in the first degree, kidnapping in the second degree, unlawful restraint in the first degree, cruelty to persons and reckless endangerment in the first degree.—
Becca Longmire,
People.com,
2 Apr. 2025
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Sullivan was arrested on March 12 and charged with first-degree assault, second-degree kidnapping, first-degree unlawful restraint, cruelty to persons and first-degree reckless endangerment.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Hate and rationalization of all the provenances of brutality.—
David Bezmozgis,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2025
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The case has drawn national attention to issues of police brutality and racial bias, particularly in how law enforcement engages with individuals with disabilities.—
Essence,
Essence,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Atrocity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrocity. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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