atrocity

[uh-tros-i-tee]

noun

plural

atrocities 

1. the quality or state of being atrocious.

2. an atrocious act, thing, or circumstance.

atrocity

/ əˈtrɒsɪtɪ /

noun

1. behaviour or an action that is wicked or ruthless

2. the fact or quality of being atrocious

3. (usually plural) acts of extreme cruelty, esp against prisoners or civilians in wartime

Word History and Origins

Origin of atrocity¹

1525–35; < Latin atrōcitās, equivalent to atrōci- (stem of atrōx ) fierce + -tās -ty ²

Example Sentences

“If the Muslim world remains silent as Palestinians face extermination,” he said in a speech in March, “it will only embolden America and Israel to commit further atrocities.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Reports since El-Fasher's fall have raised fears of a return to similar atrocities.

Read more on Barron's

Deadly cycles of tit-for-tat attacks have also seen thousands killed, but atrocities have been committed on both sides and human rights group say there is no evidence that Christians have been disproportionately targeted.

Read more on BBC

Germany's foreign minister described the situation in Sudan as "apocalyptic" on Saturday as reports of atrocities emerged after El-Fasher fell to paramilitaries, with Britain's top diplomat also bemoaning the crisis.

Read more on Barron's

Sudan’s military has condemned the atrocities, accusing the RSF of massacring civilians.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• barbarity 
• brutality 
• crime 
• evil 
• horror 
• inhumanity