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.
Instead, people like this coach in Minnesota are promoting these types of atrocities. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Despite initially losing consciousness herself as a result of the explosion, Maria still vividly remembered the atrocity when recounting it to the Museum of Civilian Voices. — Emile Nuh, CNN Money, 31 July 2026 The finale, which opens with Max pausing to observe a small courtesy before committing an atrocity on Crystal’s houseboat, closes with the Bowdens reaching for ordinary family life after surviving an atrocity of their own. — Jp Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026 But for experts and analysts who rely on Google's imagery to verify breaking news and atrocities in hard-to-reach parts of the world, the potential to create deepfake satellite imagery at the click of a button was horrifying. — Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 31 July 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 7 Aug. 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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