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?
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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.
Six of its journalists were killed, including Anna Politkovskaya, who reported on atrocities during the second Chechen War at the start of Putin’s first term as Russian president. — Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026 Both as heir apparent and now as king, Charles has spoken about the atrocity of slavery during visits to Ghana, Barbados, Rwanda and Bermuda. — Brooke N. Newman, The Conversation, 29 Oct. 2026 Batman’s nemesis is a billionaire with his own personal island for committing atrocities; Superman is traveling the world combating corporate abuse of laborers; this year’s new addition, Green Arrow, flat-out hunts CEOs. — Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2026 But Kelly's post-modern sci-fi fantasy emerged on the big screen when there existed a pervading fear of gathering in large groups as America was just beginning to recover and process the atrocities committed on 9/11. — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 26 Oct. 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

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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 1 Nov. 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
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