atrocity

[ uh-tros-i-tee ]

/ əˈtrɒs ɪ ti /

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See synonyms for: atrocity / atrocities on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural a·troc·i·ties.

the quality or state of being atrocious.

an atrocious act, thing, or circumstance.

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Origin of atrocity

1525–35; <Latin atrōcitās, equivalent to atrōci- (stem of atrōx) fierce + -tās-ty²

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use atrocity in a sentence

Many prominent Congolese human-rights activists consider minerals to be at the heart of the perpetration of atrocities.
Aaron Rodgers Takes Aim at Congo’s ‘Blood Minerals’ War|John Prendergast|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They appear to see not atrocities but adventure, not gore but glory.
How ISIS’s Colorado Girls Were Caught|Michael Daly|October 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
La Barbie videotaped himself in the act of committing atrocities and mailed the evidence to The Dallas Morning News.
Trading Dime Bags for Salvador Dali|Jason McGahan|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sir, Mr. Davutoğlu, in the meantime, with its inhumane actions, ISIS commits atrocities.
Dear Turkish PM: It’s Time to Act to Save Kobani’s Kurds|Bahman Ghobani|October 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST

In the ensuing nine months, divisions have considerably deepened because of mass atrocities committed by both sides.
‘The Good Lie’ and the Hard Truths of South Sudan|John Prendergast|October 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They have fought countless bloody wars and have committed countless horrible atrocities in their zeal for Him.
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford
It may serve as an example of the atrocities that are often committed from false ideas of religion.
A Woman's Journey Round the World|Ida Pfeiffer
Mr. O'Connell spoke against Don Carlos, dwelling at length upon the atrocities which had been committed by his partisans.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III.|E. Farr and E. H. Nolan
Thanks to the communal insurrections, that were provoked by the feudal atrocities, our worst days are over.
The Pilgrim's Shell or Fergan the Quarryman|Eugne Sue
Sometimes, if they were not interrupted in committing these atrocities they even killed the chickens.
The Red Cow and Her Friends|Peter McArthur

British Dictionary definitions for atrocity

atrocity

/ (əˈtrɒsɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties

behaviour or an action that is wicked or ruthless

the fact or quality of being atrocious

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

atrocity

Origin of atrocity

Words related to atrocity

How to use atrocity in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for atrocity