noun
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behaviour or an action that is wicked or ruthless
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the fact or quality of being atrocious
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(usually plural) acts of extreme cruelty, esp against prisoners or civilians in wartime
Etymology
Origin of atrocity
1525–35; < Latin atrōcitās, equivalent to atrōci- (stem of atrōx ) fierce + -tās -ty 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Sadly, Myanmar appears to be trapped in the cycle of atrocities and impunities," Jallow said, referring to the military's overthrow of the civilian government in 2021.
From BBC
On Monday, a roadside remembrance service, at the site of the atrocity, will be held at 11:00 GMT.
From BBC
"It's terrible, it's a terrible atrocity," he said, adding that the wider community here were "very supportive".
From BBC
I have advocated for victims, documented atrocities and fought for survivors.
In a follow-up post on Monday, Mr Vince said he had not intended to "excuse or legitimise terrorism, or any form of racism", adding that "what happened at Bondi beach is an atrocity".
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
