atrocity

noun

atroc·​i·​ty ə-ˈträ-sə-tē How to pronounce atrocity (audio)
plural atrocities
Synonyms of atrocity
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

Synonyms of atrocity

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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
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.
There have been times when acts of atrocity have been going on — and gosh, some of those things are incomprehensible — yet humanity has found a way. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 27 June 2026 Its very facility means that atrocities and wars can be instantly recorded and viewed everywhere in our new virtual-arena world. — Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026 The second principle was public education, which was trying to call attention to these atrocities that were being visited on the planet. — Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 25 June 2026 While younger generations were taught in school about the atrocities of the Holocaust, the book found that family lore continued to sanitize the past with grandparents often painted as heroes, rescuers or victims themselves. — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for atrocity

Word History

Etymology

see atrocious

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of atrocity was in 1534

Rhymes for atrocity

See All Rhymes for atrocity

Browse Nearby Words

atrociousness
atrocity
à trois
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Cite this Entry

“Atrocity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atrocity. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

atrocity

noun
atroc·​i·​ty ə-ˈträs-ət-ē How to pronounce atrocity (audio)
plural atrocities
1
: the quality or state of being atrocious
2
: something that is atrocious

More from Merriam-Webster on atrocity

Nglish: Translation of atrocity for Spanish Speakers

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