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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of atrocity
Donald Trump favors Russia despite all the destruction, horror and atrocities perpetrated upon Ukraine in the last three years.
—
Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
For decades after World War II, a long silence engulfed Poland’s Jewish history and the atrocities committed there.
—Shira Li Bartov, Sun Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2025
Members of the Maryland congressional delegation bemoaned the loss of life in Israel and Gaza but somehow failed to mention that the sole reason for that loss of life was Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the terror atrocities of Oct. 7 committed by terror groups and Gazan citizens.
—Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 24 Feb. 2025
And yet, for all these elements of breakdown, Flores has more in mind than a mere catalog of atrocities; his imagination is too capacious.
—David L. Ulin, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atrocity
Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
For decades after World War II, a long silence engulfed Poland’s Jewish history and the atrocities committed there.
—Shira Li Bartov, Sun Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2025
Members of the Maryland congressional delegation bemoaned the loss of life in Israel and Gaza but somehow failed to mention that the sole reason for that loss of life was Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the terror atrocities of Oct. 7 committed by terror groups and Gazan citizens.
—Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 24 Feb. 2025
And yet, for all these elements of breakdown, Flores has more in mind than a mere catalog of atrocities; his imagination is too capacious.
—David L. Ulin, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atrocity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atrocity
Noun
-
Comments John Malkovich, in a very John Malkovich role, plays a twisted pop star in Opus, A24’s incisive horror film about the cult of toxic fandom.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
12 Mar. 2025
-
While not explicitly a horror film, Opus utilizes staples of the genre.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Matthew has been charged with first-degree murder, as well as related weapons possession and animal cruelty charges.—
Laura Barcella,
People.com,
7 Mar. 2025
-
The whole movie is about the ways that cruelty and injustice become codified.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
This new process was driven by high-profile national incidents of police brutality, including the slaying of teenager Laquan McDonald by a Chicago police officer.—
Forrest Claypool,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2025
-
The mural near the White House went up in summer 2020 to protest police brutality and as a rebuke to President Trump in his first term.—
Cuneyt Dil,
Axios,
11 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Atrocity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrocity. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share